DISCIPLESHIP IS A life-long response that begins at baptism. When children are baptized, the celebrant asks the parents, “What do you ask of God’s Church for N.?” For adults who are baptized later, they are asked this question directly. Regardless of the age, the answer given is the same: “Baptism.” Other responses following this include “faith,” “eternal life” and “the grace of Christ.”
As children grow in their faith and relationship with Jesus, they must be taught to listen to Him and recognize His invitations. This is done by teaching them how to pray and becoming familiar with Sacred Scripture, especially the Gospels. To be a disciple of Jesus Christ simply means responding to His invitation to be with Him.
When the first disciples of John began to follow Jesus, their encounter revealed an interesting exchange of questions. “Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come, and you will see.’ So, they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon” (Jn.1:38-39). Jesus’ answer to their search is an invitation to communion with Him.
Encountering Jesus’ desire for them to stay with Him is so transformative that they even remembered the time this encounter occurred!
To raise young disciples requires that we teach them how to listen to the questions of Jesus in the Gospels and realize that He is addressing them as well. Here are some of Jesus’ questions to pray with:
■ “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mk. 10:51)
■ “Who are you looking for?” (Jn. 20:15)
■ “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn. 11:25-26)
■ “But who do you say that I am?” (Lk. 9:20)
■ “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?” (Mk. 14:37)
■ “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” (Mt. 8:26)
■ “Do you want to be well?” (Jn. 5:6) Jesus makes Himself available to us and invites us to reveal ourselves to Him in the intimate dialogue of prayer. Honestly telling Jesus our thoughts, feelings and desires that come up in our hearts as we are faced with His questions will draw us closer to Him and dispose our hearts to receive His love, freedom and truth.
It takes time to grow in trust and vulnerability with God, but when we start to grasp His love and mercy for us, we will also want to bring our questions to Jesus.
However, God doesn’t always answer our questions with the answers that we think we need. Questions that come from our need to control things are often left unanswered. Even after the Resurrection of Jesus, the disciples asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) Jesus did not answer their
question but assured them of His presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, the first disciples’ question, “Where are you staying?” is a question that seeks communion, and Jesus responds with an invitation to remain with Him. He is the answer to their search.
If it seems that God is not answering the questions we bring to Him, let the Lord refine your search by purifying your motivation. Are we seeking control or communion?