Tuesday 2 September 2008

Thomas Merton again writing on being disciples of Jesus.

...one becomes a disciple by following the way of God, which is the way of renunciation: "If any man would come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34). Moreover, such a renunciation is not merely an existential giving up of the self, but the surrender of family life and affection (Matt.10:37), and perhaps even the giving up of life itself (Mark 10:45). But it is also a life of humility:
"You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:42-45)

All of this speaks of a willingness to step back from the ways that we know so well in the world. For the moment we step forward with our own agendas, we begin to forget about the necessity to be a community. When we forget that, we attempt to make others into objects. When we do that, we make of ourselves 'gods' that we claim have a right to lord over others....because others are not like us. The way of servanthood that is taken on as a discipline is a way that brings us into a new way of seeing all things. It is in this position that we are constantly reminded of the worth of the other person because we are not so consumed by our self-interests. Humility gives us the opportunity to no only see another person with new eyes...we also begin to see ourselves with new eyes as our relationships with others actually become...relationships.

Connection: Some times it is necessary to step back and re-view our place among others. It is during those times of this day that we begin to be open to the in breaking of God's Reign.

Lord of Life, we are not always ones who follow the way of your beloved, Jesus. To walk in his way is not what we would have for ourselves. And yet, your Spirit continues to pull us into the humility of his life and the renewal of all life as we enter his way. Amen.