Today I have the privilege and honor to speak at a Lenten luncheon. The topic is on discipleship. As I began my topic research, I was drawn into the amazing clarity of the Patristic Fathers and Scripture. In the assessment of biblical discipleship, I was particularly drawn to Philippians 1:21 which is familiar to many. Here the Apostle Paul writes simply “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Polycarp Bishop of Smyrna would all agree with this statement, going so far as to declare that true discipleship meant martyrdom.
I think that this idea of discipleship is fairly distant from the idea of discipleship most who congregate would declare today. Statistics reveal that many Christians find it hard to attend worship consistently, and that might be the barometer some might say is what defines a true disciple. Others may contend a true disciple is one who reads their bible daily and strives to adhere to the instruction within. Certainly, it is true the Christian disciple should regularly attend worship and gain daily instruction from scripture, but real discipleship goes much farther.
I would contend that the core tenant of the Christian disciple is found first in the Great Commandment noted in Deuteronomy 6:5-6 then second as the Summary of the Law as noted by Jesus in Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27, and I also add John 14:15. Summarily these all point to one thing, the heart’s desire. The command is to love God above all else, in every way, which is also reflected in the way in which we love one another.
Today we remember St. Patrick, the “Apostle of Ireland”, who was taken into slavery from his native Britain by pirates. These pirates took Patrick to Ireland, where he would eventually escape and find his way back home, but later as a cleric return to evangelize the country of Ireland. The act displayed by Saint Patrick is one of surrendered obedience, where his life was offered for the benefit of others in obedience to the call Almighty God laid upon him.
We can see in the witness how Saint Patrick walked as Christ Jesus did, in sacrificial witness. This is certainly a window into what it looks like to love God in every way, a great example for us to consider. Today let us consider first what the true desires of our hearts are, then second our devotion to obedience, and lastly our willingness to walk as called. Consider again these words of Saint Paul-
For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.