The Cost of Discipleship

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.

Mt. 10, 9

Matthew the tax collector rose and followed Jesus. At what cost?

At a cost of his personal security. As a tax collector working under the security of the Roman government, Matthew was protected by the government's forces. Even if he would abuse his power, nobody dared go against him. He was safely secured by the forces of the Roman Empire!

He lost that security.

At a cost of his financial security. As a tax collector, he had great wealth. Lived in excess. And with money came power.

He lost both.

Discipleship is costly. It is does not guarantee personal safety from those who want to harm the disciple. It does not guarantee an easy, luxurious life. For one follows, not out of material, financial concerns and profit. One becomes empty in order to be filled up by the treasures promised to the follower.

No wonder so few follow Jesus.

Anger and Mercy!

"But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment."

Mt. 5, 22.

He was shouting, using foul language. He was so angry, his face was so red. His actions and his words were hurting his friend. At first, his friend was unbelieving that he was being shouted at , and cursed, and insulted by a friend. He could not take it anymore; he began to get angry too. And soon, both were shouting, and cursing and insulting one another.

Sin does not just happen; it grows like a seed planted in one's heart. Then, it bears fruit.

Anger in the heart and anger in speech can provoke further anger. This is precisely the bottom line: unless it is mastered by God's grace, sin grows and chokes, and causes other to sin. Anger when met by anger further creates anger; hatred begets hatred. Just as sin begets sin. The devil expects that we respond to anger with anger; hared with hatred. Violence with violence.

What is the antidote to anger and rage?

Mercy, and kindness spring from a heart full of love and forgiveness.

God has forgiven us and he calls us to extend mercy and forgiveness towards those who cause us harm and grief. Only God’s love and grace can set our hearts and minds free from the tyranny of wounded pride and spiteful revenge.

Let the devil become disappointed in us when, instead of responding in anger and rage at the angry tirades hurled against, we show patience, compassion and mercy.

“May I be no man’s enemy, and may I be the friend of that which is eternal and abides.

May I never quarrel with those nearest me: and if I do, may I be reconciled quickly.

May I love, seek, and attain only that which is good. May I wish for all men’s happiness and envy none.

May I never rejoice in the ill-fortune of one who has wronged me. When I have done or said what is wrong, may I never wait for the rebuke of others, but always rebuke myself until I make amends.

May I win no victory that harms either me or my opponent. May I reconcile friends who are angry with one another.

May I never fail a friend who is in danger.

When visiting those in grief may I be able by gentle and healing words to soften their pain. May I respect myself. May I always keep tame that which rages within me. May I accustom myself to be gentle, and never be angry with people because of circumstances. May I never discuss who is wicked and what wicked things he has done, but know good men and follow in their footsteps.”

(Prayer of Eusebius, 3rd century)

Neutral?

In a fight between good and evil, one cannot remain neutral. We have to make the choice for that which is good. We have to influence others toward the good. We have to convince so many to fight for the good!

A neutral stance further strengthens the evil, and helps spread evil among us!

"Aka-oley lay Dios!"

This young man was fuming mad! He had been ranting about how everything was not fair.

"It's not fair!" he said so many times.

It seemed that he had been at the receiving end of a cruel act. He was hurt. He wanted revenge! He wanted to let the "enemy" experience the same humilating pain he had undergone; the same trauma; if not more than what he had undergone.

He wanted to get even. He came full of anger. He cried in anger. I could sense the hatred that was boiling in his heart. He wanted revenge.

But he had no means, not even the power, to carry out his vengeful anger!


"Father, I want revenge! I know it is wrong; it is a sin. And i refuse now to get even. So I just prayed to God, 'Lord, I leave everything to you. Aka-oley lay Dios!"

I asked him, "What do you mean 'Aka-oley lay Dios' (I leave everything to God)?"

"Since you yourself refuse to carry out your revenge, are you asking God to exact revenge on your behalf?"

God is not a vengeful God who would want to punish the sinner. Instead, He is a Merciful God who wants the sinner to repent. To go back to the fold of the Father.

If we pray, "Akaoley ka la, Katawan" (I leave everything to you, Lord), we are not asking God to punish and destroy our enemy (although that is what we really want). What God wants is that the "enemy" repents, and receive His mercy. So God would shower our "enemy" with His unfathomable mercy and overflowing grace!

Our God is a Merciful God who rejoices over one repentant sinner!

Most Corrupt!

"Father, kababaing tayo!"

The old man told me how shameful we have become as a nation. He was reffering to the news that came out last week.

Data collected from interviews with over 1,476 business men who are operative throughout the Asian continent showed that the Philippines ranks first place among nations with the highest level of corruption. Close runners up China, Indonesia and Vietnam.

"How did we end up so?" He further asked.

"What have we done to our country?"

Questions that should be asked. Questions that should be answered.

Honestly. Truthfully. Painfully.