Jesus was confronted by a young rich man who asked how he could receive eternal life and Jesus told him that as well as obeying the Ten Commandments, he must also sell all his possessions and give money to the poor. The man was disappointed to hear this. Jesus then explained to his disciples how hard people found it to give up everything for the gospel. (10:17-31) I think this is still relevant today as many people still find it extremely difficult to give up all they have for the gospel. Today the demands of discipleship are just as hard as they were is Jesus’ time, but still a lot of Christians give up their live and become disciples and will receive their eternal rewards in heaven just as Jesus promised.
The three main types of followers are a layperson, a religious person and an ordained minister. Lay people receive their call in Baptism which gives them the gift of faith. Confirmation strengthens that faith and gives the gifts of courage, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, right judgement, reverence and wonder & awe. These are the gifts we need to give witness to our faith. A lay person must be honest, hard-working, and generous to the poor, prayerful and one who worships with the believing community. Receive Religious people are ones who take the same vows as a layperson but also become chaste and live in poverty to depend on God for their needs. These people are Nuns and Monks, they live in a very peaceful atmosphere so they can be more prayerful and have very little possessions because they depend on God for their needs. An ordained minister has also been baptized and confirmed but has also taken another vow of priesthood and has a community. Ordained ministers are deacons, priests and bishops. They are the chief teachers in their diocese and can ordain other priests. Ordained ministers are those who perform weddings ceremonies, baptisms and other religious ceremonies.
A very inspirational layperson is Jean Donovan. She was someone who was particularly motivated by the Gospel and decided to carry the will of God. Jean Donovan answered to the call of discipleship and decided to go to El Salvador to help the people suffering there. She was later kidnapped, abused and killed there with three other nuns at only just 27 years old. Her perseverance, courage and determination were truly remarkable. Although she knew that helping needy people was very dangerous, she carried on working there facing the threat of death everyday.
Over all, I think that teaching of discipleship can affect the lives of Christians in many different ways, just like it did to Jean Donovan and many other laypeople as well as all the ordained ministers and religious people. Some people will give up their whole lives for the sake of the gospel and become disciples. This is ultimate sacrifice that disciples make on their journey following Jesus and the teachings of God.
