Devotion 

Go Make Disciples

Frances Taylor 

The sending forth of the apostles – and us! Go, make disciples, is what Jesus told them and us to do. He didn't say to go and make followers, but I have a feeling that, unlike the apostles, that's what we tend to do. Do those we baptize, or their parents, realize that they are being called to be disciples?

Disciples are people who sit at the feet of the master and learn from him so that they can go forth and make other disciples. It's not enough to just be baptized, the last part of that passage is so important, that we must teach them to observe all that Jesus commanded them. We've come a long way from the days of the apostles and the early Christians. They were anxious to learn everything about Jesus and his teachings, and often asked the apostles or other disciples to stay longer than they had planned so that they could continue learning.

I'm not sure about where you live, but most adults around me will bring their children to classes, but don't think that they need to go. I wonder how many people would go to a doctor who stopped his studying after high school. That goes for other professions as well. Do we really think we have learned everything we need to learn about Jesus? I know that I learn more and more every time I read the Bible. I learn even more if I am reflecting upon it with others. This week will end the Easter season and bring us again, Pentecost. As we remember the Holy Spirit coming to the apostles this weekend, let us ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds and motivate us to learn so that we will become more like disciples than followers.

Prayer 

Lord, you commissioned us as well as your apostles to go into the world and spread your message. Please give us the graces we need to embrace this work. Amen.