In the first article in this series on SBG Religion's new core mission statement, "Fostering Discipleship in the Catholic Community," I quoted the General Directory for Catechesis: "Faith is conversion to Jesus Christ . . . making oneself a disciple of him. [It is] a decision to walk in his footsteps . . . a permanent commitment to think like him, to judge like him, and to live as he lived" (no. 53). All those engaged in catechesis, including parents, are involved in the Church's mission to form disciples. We should respond to the GDC's description of the mission to discipleship with a heartfelt, "Yikes! You've got to be kidding!" This is, in other words, serious stuff.
The formation of disciples is ultimately not about programs. It is about initiating and nurturing relationships, relationships of love between Jesus and those who choose to follow him. In the New Testament the Greek verb for "to follow" appears 91 times, and the Greek noun for "disciple" 261 times! Clearly, the formation of disciples is at the very core of the Gospel and, therefore, at the heart of our mission and ministry. But what is a disciple, and how do we "make" one?
In his helpful book On Making Disciples (Crossroad Publishing, 1998), Timothy O'Connell identifies five elements of discipleship.
- Discipleship is a relationship.
- It involves understanding, knowledge of the other.
- It implies a commitment in which the relationship becomes a priority in one's life.
- It is expressed in and through fidelity, faithfulness to the other.
- Finally, because we are social beings, discipleship involves affiliation with others similarly committed, that is, connection to a group or community of fellow believers.
We'll return to the role of the community in the formation of disciples in the next article. But how does the individual become a follower, a disciple of Jesus? I've developed an alliterative device to help summarize the process of Christian identity formation. Think of the process in terms of four "i's" -- inspiration, imitation, integration, and identification -- which unfold in a sequential and recurring way.
| Inspiration |
It all starts here. Before even considering the option of Christian discipleship, I must first witness in others the positive fruits of that lifestyle. I must see what a love relationship with Jesus looks like, see it reflected in the attitudes and actions of those who profess to follow him, almost literally see it in the eyes of convinced believers. This is the work of evangelization, which the GDC identifies as the very purpose of the Church's existence (no. 46) and the context within which all ministries, including catechesis, must be understood (no. 45 - 49).
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| Imitation |
Drawn by the witness of others to the way of discipleship, my initial efforts to "think like [Jesus], to judge like him, and to live as he lived" feel artificial, false, occasionally even hypocritical. Nothing wrong or surprising about that. We experience that feeling any time we try to learn something new. However, if those attitudes and behaviors remain only imitative, if they don't become genuine characteristics of my personality and lifestyle, my claim to be a follower of Jesus will ring hollow. I'll be among those folks who "wear religion on their sleeves," who seem to be play-acting. But the process of formation draws me deeper.
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| Integration |
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, grace works within the life of the novice disciple. Elements of Christian identity that at one time seemed "on the surface" and phony gradually become part of my world view, my character, my very being. I find that I have so integrated the vision and values of Jesus that they seem natural to me, a part of me. I can't deny or run counter to them without denying my own identity, without jeopardizing my personal integrity. Something very mysterious has happened to me, within me, even through me.
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| Identification |
The process of inspiration, imitation, and integration recurs over time -- indeed, over a lifetime -- and transforms me. I have "put on Jesus." I now understand Saint Paul's stunning claim: "It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). I have become a mature disciple of Jesus.
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To repeat: This is serious stuff, the making of disciples. What a privilege to share in that ministry! What a challenge this is, one far too big to handle on our own. We need others. And that's the focus of our next article.
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Tom Zanzig |
