Following Jesus

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The Eucharistic meal is above all else a meal. It is easy to lose that sense when we are fed with a thin wafer that barely resembles bread. However it reflects a great reality. As did the apostles in this weekend’s Gospel reading, we recognize the presence of Jesus among us in the invitation he extends to us to eat and drink of him. We are nourished for the task that awaits us which is nothing less than FOLLOWING HIM.

Following him is not necessarily easy. It is not supposed to be. The popular notion but a mistaken one is the impression that all one has to do to follow Jesus is to believe in him and every emotional, physical and financial difficulty we may have will be resolved.

No, this is ‘prosperity gospel’. The ‘sugar-coated pill’ and the “instant noodle mentality”. The problem with this view of Christianity is that it ignores an essential aspect in the life of Jesus’ disciples: the CROSS.

Of course, Jesus wants us to be happy, but the source of our happiness does not lie in money, power, possessions or status. The source of our joy and peace can only be Jesus. If the focus of our life is Jesus, then we will gladly embrace the CROSS for his sake.

What constitutes the CROSS that Christians must bear with faith and hope? It is not the trials and tribulations of daily life or even major upheavals such as disease and natural catastrophes. These are not consequential but they are experienced by nearly all of us, Christian or not.

On the other hand, the CROSS is the suffering and persecution, and perhaps even death, that occurs as a result of our trying to follow Jesus in the manner he obeys his Father and does what he wills.

This is shown clearly in the experience of the apostles later as they face their Jewish detractors. There is opposition and hostility from them as the apostles try to proclaim the Good News.

It is never easy to stand in the face of a challenge, but the apostles deem obedience to what they know is to be from God and more important than the opposition and possible persecution they have to face. When Peter declares his love for Jesus on the banks of Lake Tiberius that blessed morning when Jesus appears to him and the apostles, he means what he says.

It is no wonder that Jesus, knowing his love for him, tells him to “follow” him, knowing that Peter will suffer and die for his sake.

In this connection, perhaps we need to ask ourselves if we really and sincerely love Jesus to the extent of following him and carrying the CROSS. If we do, then just follow Jesus.

This article is extracted from the bulletin of the Church of St Francis Xaiver - Serangoon.

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