TRUE DISCIPLESHIP, TRUE RELATIONSHIP
2 Kings 4:8-11, 13-16; Romans 6:3-4, 8-11; Matthew 10:37-42
Who is a true disciple? A disciple is not simply someone who attends church, wears a cross, or calls himself a Christian. According to the Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis (No. 61), a disciple is one whom Christ calls to remain with Him, follow Him, and become a missionary of the Gospel. Every baptized Christian is therefore called not merely to believe in Christ but to belong to Him.
Today’s readings challenge us to move beyond superficial Christianity to authentic discipleship. Jesus is not looking for admirers; He is looking for followers. He desires not mere relationship but true relationship; one built on love, sacrifice, holiness, and hospitality. The Shunammite woman demonstrates this beautifully. She did not merely appreciate God’s prophet; she prepared a room for him. She made room for God’s presence, and God made room for her miracle.
From today’s readings, six marks distinguish true discipleship.
1. True Disciples Give Christ First Place: Recall the God-first rule we discussed last week. Today Jesus says, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37). Christ is not asking us to hate our families. Rather, He teaches that every genuine relationship must begin with God. When Christ occupies first place, every other relationship finds its proper order. Many people love God only when it is convenient. The moment family pressure, career ambitions, friendships, or public opinion demand compromise, Christ is pushed aside. A disciple, however, never negotiates his loyalty to Christ. Listen, whatever takes God’s place has become your god.
2. True Disciples Don’t Just Pray for Miracles; They Make Room for the Miracle Worker: The Shunammite woman teaches one of the greatest secrets of divine blessing. Before she received the miracle of a son, she first prepared a room for Elisha. She sought God’s presence before seeking God’s presents. Many people pray endlessly for breakthroughs while leaving no room for God in their schedules, homes, decisions, or hearts. We have rooms for entertainment, business, politics, and social media, yet very little room for prayer, Scripture, silence, and the Eucharist. We know how to labour in prayer but not willing to abide in him. The woman built a room for God’s prophet. God built a future for the woman. I tell you, if you make room for Christ in your heart, He will make room for miracles in your life.
3. True Disciples Carry Their Cross Before They Wear Their Crown: Jesus continues: “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Discipleship without sacrifice is impossible. Our generation loves comfort more than commitment. We want resurrection without Calvary, victory without battle, heaven without holiness, and certificate without exams. The cross represents every sacrifice we make for Christ, not financial poverty; it represents the suffering of forgiving those who hurt us, remaining faithful in difficult marriages, standing for truth when it’s daring, persevering through rejection without abandoning God. No cross. No crown. Three years ago, on this same message I said, “Discipleship without the cross is a wrong ship; no one boards the wrong ship and arrives at the right destination. Retrace you steps!
4. True Disciples Die Before They Truly Live: I will explain how. St. Paul tells us: “Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Second reading, Romans 6:11) Baptism is more than a initiation rite; it is a burial. A dead person no longer responds to insults or applause. Likewise, a disciple must become dead to pride, lust, greed, jealousy, revenge, dishonesty, and every sinful desire. Some of us have been baptized with water but never buried their old life.
5. True Disciples Welcome Christ by Welcoming Others: Jesus declares: “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me.” The Shunammite woman welcomed Elisha, and in welcoming the prophet she welcomed God Himself. Hospitality is one of the forgotten virtues of Christianity. Every act of kindness done in Christ’s name becomes an encounter with Christ Himself. Remember the corporal works of mercy. Even a cup of water does not go unnoticed before God. Host your blessings by hosting a prophet. Don’t be hostile to your blessings.
6. True disciples are rewarded: Nothing done for God is ever wasted. God rewards! He is our Rewarder. He says in Rom.2:6 “He will reward each one according to his works…” See, water has a reward, prayer has a reward, sacrifice has a reward, hospitality has a reward, faithfulness has a reward, generosity has a reward, barrenness has a reward, honoring your parents has a reward, training a child has a reward, covering your spouse has a reward, keeping a home in order has a reward, meekness has a reward, serving your household has a reward, guarding your tongue has a reward, welcoming your in-laws has a reward, raising children in the fear of God has a reward, obedience has a reward, and you have a reward. Be reward-worthy.
Lord Jesus, have mercy and save us!
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
