Lesson 2 - The Call of the Disciple

(Lesson 2)

The Call of God and the Response of the Disciple

“I stand at the door and knock….” Rev 3:20

Discussion Guide:

Everyone has a unique way of coming to the faith. For some people, the experience is very dramatic and sudden. Others may slowly be drawn into a relationship with God. Sometimes a friend or relative encourages us to come to Church and we become interested in our faith. A big event like having a child or getting married can also have the effect of awakening a desire to get closer to God. There is never a wrong reason to become a Catholic! Even people who come to the Catholic faith for less than ideal reasons are usually glad they did. Your experience of discovering or rediscovering your faith is uniquely personal. Jesus, working through the Holy Spirit, is the common denominator.

The following areas may be interesting to explore:

· When did I come to the faith?

· What was my childhood experience with religion?

· How do I experience God at Church and in the community?

· What great things has God done for me?

· What has God taken out of my life?

The following Biblical events offer great examples of the various ways that people encounter God in their lives.

Bible Conversion Accounts:


· The Repentance of David Compare 2 Sam 11:14-21 to 2 Sam12:13-14

· The conversion of Paul Acts 9: 1-9

· The conversion of Peter Compare Luke 22:54-62 to John 21:17

· The Ethiopian Eunuch Acts 8:26-40

· Conversion of Thomas John 20:24-28


Having a Humble Opinion of Self

The Imitation of Christ

By Thomas A. Kempis

Chapter 2: Every man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars. He who knows himself well becomes mean in his own eyes and is not happy when praised by men.

If I knew all things in the world and had not charity, what would it profit me before God Who will judge me by my deeds?

Shun too great a desire for knowledge, for in it there is much fretting and delusion. Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be called wise. Yet there are many things the knowledge of which does little or no good to the soul, and he who concerns himself about other things than those which lead to salvation is very unwise.

Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a good life eases the mind and a clean conscience inspires great trust in God.

The more you know and the better you understand, the more severely will you be judged, unless your life is also the more holy. Do not be proud, therefore, because of your learning or skill. Rather, fear because of the talent given you. If you think you know many things and understand them well enough, realize at the same time that there is much you do not know. Hence, do not affect wisdom, but admit your ignorance. Why prefer yourself to anyone else when many are more learned, more cultured than you?

If you wish to learn and appreciate something worth while, then love to be unknown and considered as nothing. Truly to know and despise self is the best and most perfect counsel. To think of oneself as nothing, and always to think well and highly of others is the best and most perfect wisdom. Wherefore, if you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good estate. All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more frail than yourself.

The Call of God and the Response of the Disciple

“I stand at the door and knock….” Rev 3:20

Opening Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we ask You this day to open our eyes, our ears and our hearts to Your call. Like the twelve Apostles, we humbly come to You and ask: Increase our faith. Amen

Theme:

God calls us each by name. He knew us before the foundation of the world. We are endowed with free will and we are able to freely respond to his call.

Bible Readings:

John 3:1-9 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him." Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born anew.' The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit. "Nicodemus said to him, "How can this be?"

John 19:39 Nicodemus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds' weight.

Acts 9:1-9 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him. And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Acts 9:17,18 ……And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized, and took food and was strengthened.

Explanation of the Bible readings: The first two readings illustrate the course of a lifetime conversion. They show a disciple moving from the beginning of his faith journey to a closer relationship with Jesus. At first, Nicodemus was hesitant to come to Jesus for fear of persecution by the Sanhedrin. (The religious leaders of the Jewish community) The fact that he came by night implies that it was a secret meeting. He did not understand the teachings of Jesus Christ but he was certainly respectful and attentive to our Lord’s words. He did not have an instant epiphany such as Paul does in the second reading. It took time for him to have the increase of faith that was necessary to attend to the grave of the Savior. I’m certain that he wasn’t hiding 100 pounds of myrrh and aloes underneath his shirt! This bold act of faith could have cost him not only his position in the Sanhedrin, but possibly his life.

The readings from the Book of Acts tell us that Paul was a murderer and persecutor of Christians. The conversion of Paul was a remarkable instance of conversion. It occurred because of a supernatural and singular grace. Although Paul was far from grace, Jesus chose him to be an instrument to spread the Gospel. This is similar to the sinner who converts to the faith in a dramatic way when he reaches a critical turning point in his life. It should be emphasized in the discussion that Jesus says, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”. He associates himself personally with his disciples. He does not say, “Why are you persecuting my disciples”.

John 3:1-9 & John 19:39 Illustrates a gradual conversion to God’s call
Acts 9: 1-9 Illustrates a sudden conversion to God’s call
Luke 1: 26-38 Mary’s exceptional acceptance of God’s call
Mark 1: 14-20 Apostles total response to the call of Jesus

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

541 "Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying: 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe in the gospel.'" "To carry out the will of the Father Christ inaugurated the kingdom of heaven on earth." Now the Father's will is "to raise up men to share in his own divine life". He does this by gathering men around his Son Jesus Christ. This gathering is the Church, "on earth the seed and beginning of that kingdoms".

542 Christ stands at the heart of this gathering of men into the "family of God". By his word, through signs that manifest the reign of God, and by sending out his disciples, Jesus calls all people to come together around him. But above all in the great Paschal mystery - his death on the cross and his Resurrection - he would accomplish the coming of his kingdom. "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." Into this union with Christ all men are called.


Faith words:

Conversion: Conversion refers to a moral change, a turning or returning to God

Free will: People possess genuine moral freedom, power of real choice, true ability to determine the course of their thoughts and actions.

Grace: (gratia, Charis), In general, is a supernatural gift of God to intellectual creatures (men, angels) for their eternal salvation, whether the latter be furthered and attained through salutary acts or a state of holiness.

Repentance: To turn away from past sins with a firm purpose of amending your life.


Reflection Questions:


In what way did you experience God’s call?





Have you told anyone that you are starting RCIA?





What reactions from those closest to you have you noticed?



The Gospel of Luke Chapter 15

(The Prodigal Son)


Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." And he said, "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"