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Are you a Disciple of Jesus?
Twelve characteristics of the Disciples of Jesus.


Author: Staff | Source: Catholic.net



Catholic missionary Disciples is a training initiative for Catholic leaders from the new Evangelization, in the line of working discipleship, the consolidation of the Christian as a public follower of Christ.

Acts in the United States under the direction of Marcel LeJeune, a married layman and father of five children with extensive experience in the Christian University ministry. A graduate of Pastoral theology, he has worked for years at A&M University and Tech University in Texas.

Marcel LeJeune is the founder and director of Catholic missionary Disciples.

This initiative is supported by two bishops, David Konderla of Tulsa, and Michael J. Sis of San Angelo, and working in collaboration with other Catholic projects such as LifeTeen, Focus on the Family or the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

In a recent post, Catholic missionary Disciples presented twelve characteristics of the disciples of Jesus.



The main signs that distinguish a disciple of Jesus are, of course, the sacraments. Three indelibly marks: Baptism, Confirmation and Priestly Order. They are called to transform our lives entirely.

But, in addition to the sacraments, the life of discipleship has other distinctives that serve to identify the followers of Christ.

The main one is that the disciple has lived with his teacher (as an apprentice) and has lived with him, at his feet, walking with him, and has seen him live his teachings: Jesus is, above all, the teacher with whom you live, with whom you learn, in whom the eyes are fixed to see how he does things. And that can be reflected in these twelve points pointed out by Catholic missionary Disciples:

1.The disciples are called. Luke 5, 1-11 illustrates this perfectly. God always takes the first step! Jesus approached the fishermen and invited them. Only after this invitation to discipleship, we make the decision. Jesus has called each one of us. The next step is...

 2. Disciples respond consciously to the call of Jesus. Once they are called, a disciple must respond positively to the call! If Peter hadn’t left his nets and followed Jesus, he wouldn’t be a disciple. You can't go on if you don't make a choice! Discipleship is never inherited or accidental!

3. The disciple loves. This is the first sign of a disciple. Love for God and love for others. Jesus says that others will know that we are his disciples for our love for others (Jn 13, 35).

 4. Disciples fructify. In fact, Jesus says that to bear fruit proves that you are His disciple. "The Glory of my father is that you bear abundant fruit, and you will be My disciples" (Jn 15, 8).

5. Disciples are obedient. Move a little further into John 15 and you will find verse 14: "You are my friends if you do what I command." Attention: We cannot be close friends of Jesus and be disobedient. It's impossible.

 6. The disciples are taught. In Scripture we constantly find the disciples of Jesus learning from him. They listen and then apply their teachings in their lives (or at least try). We have to follow that model. A Christian Disciple's life is a lifelong learning life.

 7. Disciples follow. The word "disciple" means "follower." Our Life of discipleship begins by following Jesus. We must do what he did. Love as he loved. Choose what he chose. "Jesus roamed the cities and towns, preaching and announcing the good news of the Kingdom of God. He was accompanied by the Twelve "(Lc 8, 1).

 8. The disciples have their gaze placed in the sky. Our current life is not our definitive home. We have been created to live with God forever eternal happiness. This heavenly home is determined by our decisions in this life. The prize of Heaven is a gift in which we must have eyes, so that we don’t lose the eternal perspective of God.

9. The disciples carry crosses. Discipleship isn’t easy. Jesus said so: "Whoever wants to follow me, resign himself, carry his cross of every day and follow Me" (Lk 9, 23). We should never forget that suffering is part of discipleship. It’s not just about emotions to feel good or to have a good time.

10. Disciples spend time with Jesus in prayer. If we do what Jesus did, then we need to live in intimate relationship with God. "One day, Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him," Lord, teach us to pray, even as John taught his disciples "(Lk 11, 1).

11. Disciples Love and Serve God (and others). Think of the many times the disciples are called to serve. Jesus commands his twelve to serve the mass in the multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, to heal the sick, to expel the demons, etc. The life of a disciple isn’t about oneself! 

12. Disciples Make other Disciples. Finally, we have to do what Jesus did, which means "making disciples." It was his last term and the only one we cannot evade to fulfill him personally.

 

 








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