By Most Reverend Prakash Mallavarapu,
Archbishop of Visakhapatnam –
In continuation of the previous month’s message on discipleship, “More of disciples than mere worshippers of Jesus Christ,” let us continue our reflection of being the disciples of Jesus Christ. It is in understanding and following the teachings of Jesus, Our Lord and Master, that we become true disciples of Jesus.
There is something unique and different about the ways Jesus Christ teaches which are rather radical and therefore not easy to accept them. It is difficult to order one’s life according to the radical way Jesus wants His followers to be and to do. In the Lenten Season, the spring time of grace, it is good to see some of the radical principles, values and attitudes that Jesus Christ proposes to those who want to follow or who are called to follow Him. Jesus wants of his followers/disciples to see life and to live life in certain way with certain attitudes.
Let us read reflectively the very first set of teachings, widely known as “beatitudes,” placed before his disciples (Mt 5: 3-10). I consider, Jesus Christ is saying, that those one’s life is to be considered “blessed” or “happy” or “as favoured” one
- When one is poor, that is, economically poor and socially marginalized, simple, without much glamour, without being recognized or considered as important by others;
- When one mourns and cries for a variety of reasons, due to pain, to due deprivation or maltreatment, or due to helplessness and hopelessness in the life situations;
- When one is meek and humble, without self-assertion and without given importance,
- When one is passionate in pursuing and promoting righteousness, one is restless and uncomfortable about matters of justice and peace;
- When one is merciful, compassionate and kind in one’s dealings and relationships with other human beings;
- When one is pure in heart, clean and plain, no ulterior motives in dealing with other persons or situations, no malice and no self-interests, etc.
- When one is a peacemaker in the situations of conflict and rivalries, a mediator of peace, a lover and promoter of peace; when one takes initiatives to establish peace by facilitating the process of resolving the conflicts or quarrels;
- When one is persecuted and put to suffering by fellow human beings because one makes option to be righteous and uphold justice. The disciples and followers of Jesus Christ are invited to see what he is teaching and order his or her life that way showing thereby that one is serious about following and promoting the “the way of Jesus, their master and Lord!”
- Shall we look at our life in Lenten Season as to where we are in relation to these ideals, the “beatitudes,” taught by Our Lord Jesus? It is important aspect of our Christian life as Disciples of Christ for Christian life is not only for avoiding sin and repentance for the sins committed. It is about living positively according to the vision and priorities our Lord teaches giving evidence to our discipleship!
“For, I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mathew 5:20).
This is one declaration clear and simple that Our Lord makes after speaking about being salt and light of the world. This means as his disciples there is a different quality of living distinct from that of the Pharisees of the day. Genuine living is what is called for. What is manifested on the outside of us and should be the manifestation of what is actually in the inside of us.
Let our good works be seen and let them give glory to God. In these good works done selflessly are visible signs of being light and salt, the light coming from the lamp cannot be hidden unless some obstacle is put or salt cannot but be salty in taste. It is in being and living this that we give evidence to what we are and what we believe. The meaning of the call of the Lord to be light and salt in the world is as the disciples of Jesus Christ the goodness, kindness, compassion and concern should go forth into the experience of other human beings where one lives and shares life with them.
As light and salt the disciples of Jesus have something to offer for the benefit of life of those around him or her. A burning lamp cannot but give light and salt cannot but add to the taste of food. The disciples need not or should not be like the Pharisees who project something outside but are actually different than what they appear outside. Instead of responding to life freely and as the situation demands, a Pharisee would be more legalistic and impersonal, law is more important than love, following customs and traditions are more important than to be sensitive and concerned about the true meaning and purpose of those customs and traditions!