Following Christ: A Call to Radical Discipleship

To follow Christ is the essence of the Christian vocation. It is an invitation to embark on a transformative journey, leaving behind the comforts of worldly attachments and embracing the radical call to discipleship. Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and the writings of various pope’s and various saint’s provide to each of us, very profound insights into what it means to answer this call.

Biblical Examples of Following Christ

The Gospel narratives provide compelling examples of individuals who immediately responded to Jesus' invitation. In Matthew 4:18-22, we read of Jesus calling Peter and Andrew, followed by James and John: Jesus said, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. Consider that. Can I literally drop everything and follow? This is a very hard concept to wrap our minds and our hearts around. Is Jesus calling you in such a radical and transformative way? If he is, consider speaking with a vocations director.

James and John, mending their nets with their father, left not only their livelihood but also their family ties to follow Christ. Their immediate response illustrates the urgency and totality of the call to discipleship. Similarly, in Luke 5:27-28, Jesus calls Levi (Matthew), the tax collector, who "left everything and followed him." These accounts reveal that following Christ demands a decisive break from the past and a wholehearted commitment to Him.

The Rich Man and the Cost of Discipleship

In Matthew 19:16-22, the encounter with the rich young man further underscores the radical nature of following Christ. Jesus tells him: "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." The man’s sorrowful departure highlights the difficulty of relinquishing worldly wealth. As Saint Pope John Paul II reflects in The Splendor of Truth (Veritatis Splendor), true freedom and fulfillment come from aligning one’s life with the truth of the Gospel, not from clinging to material possessions. Following Christ requires a reordering of priorities, where eternal treasures outweigh temporal gains.

This seems to be the hardest part for almost everyone. We tend to justify, explain, convince ourselves why we cannot let go of so many “things.” Yet, how much is enough? Do we have to have so much and knowing that there are so many out there that have so little. How then do we help the least? Take time to read Matthew 25.

Pope Benedict XVI on Discipleship for All

Pope Benedict XVI, in his encyclical Deus Caritas Est (God is Love), emphasizes that following Christ is not limited to clergy or religious but extends to the laity. He writes: "Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction."

This encounter demands a response, lived out through the choices we make daily. Whether as clergy, religious, or laity, discipleship involves a transformation of heart and mind, conforming to the image of Christ. In Spe Salvi (Saved in Hope), Pope Benedict highlights hope as an essential aspect of following Christ, reminding us that even amid challenges, our journey is sustained by the promise of eternal life.

Here again, from one of the most brilliant minds of the 20th and 21st Centuries, that we MUST trust in the promise of eternal life and STRIVE to do what is pleasing to our Lord. Embracing this encounter with Christ, and serving Him through our day to day actions.

Pope Gregory the Great on Discipleship

Pope Gregory the Great, in his Pastoral Rule, emphasizes the importance of humility and service in following Christ. He writes that a true disciple must imitate Christ’s example of selflessness, particularly in serving others. Gregory taught that the path of discipleship involves vigilance over one’s own soul and a commitment to guide others toward salvation. This dual focus on personal transformation and service to others reflects the heart of the Gospel message.

Gregory also reminds us that discipleship is not about seeking earthly rewards but about striving for eternal life. His writings challenge Christians to live virtuously, bearing witness to the Gospel through actions as well as words.

Every time I think I am getting a head, I end up taking 5 steps backwards! And I know I’m not alone, many of us feel that way. Yet, here again, through the wisdom of Gregory the Great we are being instructed to live virtuously. This begins at the home! Parents, teach your children not only in word but also in deed!

Pope Francis on the Radical Nature of Discipleship

Pope Francis frequently calls the faithful to embrace the radical demands of discipleship. In Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), he writes: "The Gospel, radiant with the glory of Christ’s cross, constantly invites us to rejoice. Yet it also demands we renounce complacency and comfort, embracing a missionary spirit."

Francis emphasizes that following Christ requires going to the peripheries—reaching out to the marginalized and vulnerable. He calls both clergy and laity to live out their faith through acts of mercy and justice, reflecting Christ’s love in tangible ways. The Pope’s teachings remind us that discipleship involves active engagement with the world, not retreat from it.

I’m fairly sure you are picking up on the theme presented thus far, all of these great men are saying the same thing. Are we listening? Are we trying to change and be more like Christ with everyone we meet and be an example for others to follow?

St. John of the Cross: Union with God through Purification

St. John of the Cross, one of the greatest mystics in the history of the Church, teaches that spiritual transformation requires a deep purification of the soul. This process is most notably described in his concept of the "dark night of the soul," where individuals experience spiritual dryness, inner turmoil, and feelings of abandonment. These experiences, while painful, are not a sign of distance from God, but rather a means by which the soul is purified from attachment to worldly desires.

For St. John, this purification leads to a more profound union with God. The soul is stripped of its attachments and self-will, allowing the divine presence to take center stage. The ultimate goal of transformation, for St. John, is the love of God. He teaches that love is the highest form of spirituality, and the soul is most fully transformed when it is filled with divine love, free from anything that hinders its relationship with God.

So many folks struggle with this concept yet we hear we are being brought into a more profound union with God! It’s painful because I don’t want to change, or get rid of my worldly items/desires. When we can finally let go of these “things” and embrace our transformation, our relationship with God will be so much stronger.

St. Basil the Great: Transformation Through Community and Service

St. Basil the Great offers another key perspective on spiritual transformation. Known for his role in shaping monastic life, St. Basil teaches that spiritual growth is deeply interconnected with the Christian community. He emphasizes that the monastic life, rooted in prayer, humility, and mutual support, fosters transformation by aligning individuals more closely with the will of God.

Another key element of St. Basil’s teachings is the role of charity. He understood that transformation in Christ goes beyond personal holiness and involves living a life of service to others, especially the poor and marginalized. For St. Basil, charity is not just a virtue; it is an essential part of spiritual transformation, reflecting the love of Christ in tangible acts of kindness and generosity.

Can we be charitable with all we meet? We should, yet sadly, for the most part we are not. We should spend time reflecting upon what that means and living that charity boldly yet quietly not to create an illusion that this is all about me. That diminishes what we are attempting to do.

St. Lawrence of Rome: Witnessing to Christ Through Service and Martyrdom

St. Lawrence of Rome, one of the early Christian martyrs, provides a powerful witness to transformation through sacrifice. As a deacon, St. Lawrence dedicated himself to serving the poor, embodying Christ’s love through his acts of charity. His martyrdom, however, takes his transformation to its ultimate expression: the complete surrender of his life for the sake of Christ.

St. Lawrence’s death is a profound testimony to the strength of faith and the transformative power of following Christ even in the face of persecution. His life and martyrdom highlight the reality that transformation in Christ often involves suffering and sacrifice. Yet, through such sacrifices, believers are drawn ever closer to the heart of Christ.

St. Lawrence’s example also underscores the importance of serving others in the Christian life. His ministry was characterized by care for the poor, and he saw serving others not just as an act of charity, but as a means of participating in the transformative work of Christ in the world.

The Narrow Gate and the Transformed Life

Jesus did not promise an easy path for His followers. In Matthew 7:13-14, He warns: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." This narrow path requires transformation. As Saint Paul writes in Romans 12:2: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Following Christ means dying to our old selves and embracing the life He calls us to live. It involves sacrifices, perseverance, and trust in God’s grace.

To follow Christ is to take up our cross daily, to walk a path that is often challenging but ultimately leads to eternal life. The Scriptures, along with the teachings of Saint Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, remind us that this journey is a call to radical love, self-giving, and trust in God. Whether ordained clergy or laity, we are all called to this transformative path. And though the road may be difficult and the gate narrow, those who remain faithful will hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:21).