Ethan Walker
Catholics are called to discipleship through their relationship with Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church is founded on the “universal call to holiness”, where individuals are attracted to the teachings of Christ and become more than followers – they become disciples. This is a call to action for all Catholics, requiring them to serve others, share the Gospel, and profess their faith publicly. Discipleship is not a private matter, but a public expression of a personal relationship with Christ. It requires a commitment to Christ, a willingness to leave the past behind, and an extraordinary love for people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholics are called to discipleship | Jesus invited the fishermen to leave their nets and follow him |
| Catholics accept the call to discipleship | The choice to be a disciple is an intentional one, which one must make in response to God's love |
| Catholics trust God | Peter and Andrew left their nets and followed Jesus |
| Catholics love others | Jesus said that "by this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" |
| Catholics bear spiritual fruit | The fruit in our lives proves that we are disciples of Christ |
| Catholics obey God | Jesus said that we are his friends if we do what he has commanded |
| Catholics serve others | When feeding the five thousand, the disciples volunteered to distribute the food |
| Catholics are committed | Discipleship requires that no one looks back when following Jesus |
| Catholics evangelise | Disciples share the gift of the Gospel and make other disciples |
| Catholics profess their faith | The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it |
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What You'll Learn
- Catholics are called to discipleship through God's initiation
- Catholics become disciples by accepting Jesus' call
- Catholics are called to serve others through the seven corporal acts of mercy
- Catholics are called to profess their faith publicly
- Catholics are called to discipleship through the richness of Christ's teachings in the Gospel
Catholics are called to discipleship through God's initiation
The Catholic Church is founded on the "universal call to holiness", which means that all individuals in the Church are invited to embrace the richness of Christ's teachings in the Gospel. This call to discipleship is open to anyone willing to respond to Christ's love and conform their lives to his.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines a disciple as one who not only keeps the faith and lives by it but also professes it, bears witness to it, and spreads it (CCC #1816). This definition underscores the active nature of discipleship, which requires a commitment to serve others and share the Gospel.
Discipleship, in the Catholic context, is more than just a personal relationship with Christ; it is a public expression of faith. It involves living out one's faith through the Church that Jesus founded, as well as through the Sacraments, which are sacred signs instituted by Jesus Christ to communicate grace.
Through baptism, all Catholics share in the priesthood of Jesus, but some are called to a life of absolute commitment to Christ (Matthew 28:19-20). This calling involves embracing the cross and adopting an attitude of service, as exemplified by Jesus' own journey to Golgotha (Mark 8:34; Mark 9:35).
In conclusion, Catholics are called to discipleship through God's initiation, and this call requires a response of faith and a commitment to follow Jesus, serve others, and spread the Gospel.
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Catholics become disciples by accepting Jesus' call
The call to discipleship is a universal invitation to respond to Christ's love and conform one's life to his. This is distinct from a vocational calling, as not everyone is called to the priesthood or religious life. The choice to become a disciple is intentional and made in response to God's love, often requiring one to leave their past behind and follow Jesus with faith.
Discipleship involves serving others through the seven corporal acts of mercy and evangelizing by sharing the Gospel and making other disciples. It requires a commitment to setting one's eyes on the treasures of heaven and keeping an eternal perspective.
The Catholic understanding of discipleship is shaped by the witness of the Twelve Apostles and the foundational leaders of the Church. Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, Catholics receive the Holy Spirit and are empowered to be witnesses of Christ, practicing their faith and living out their discipleship publicly.
Ultimately, being a disciple of Christ means having an extraordinary love for people, being passionately committed to Christ, and living by God's Word. It entails having a solid relationship with Christ, abiding in him as the true Vine, and bearing spiritual fruit.
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Catholics are called to serve others through the seven corporal acts of mercy
Discipleship is a universal call to holiness, and Catholics are called to discipleship through the richness of Christ's teachings in the Gospel. When individuals are attracted to these teachings and the Person of Christ, they become more than followers—they become disciples.
Discipleship is not a private matter, and Catholics are called to serve others through the seven corporal acts of mercy. This involves an attitude of service and a commitment to bearing spiritual fruit. Catholics are called to live out their faith publicly through the Church that Jesus founded, and to be witnesses of Christ.
The seven corporal acts of mercy that Catholics are called to embody include feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and burying the dead. These acts are a way for Catholics to live out their faith and follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who had a particular concern for the poor and marginalized.
Catholics are called to a lifelong vocation of discipleship, deepening their relationship with Christ and serving others. This involves leaving their past behind and following Jesus with faith, as well as obeying his commands and living by God's Word.
Through the seven corporal acts of mercy, Catholics are able to express their love for others and live out the teachings of Christ in a practical and meaningful way. By serving those in need, they bear witness to their faith and spread the Good News of the Gospel.
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Catholics are called to profess their faith publicly
The Catholic Church is founded on the "universal call to holiness". Individuals are attracted to the teachings of Christ and become more than just followers—they become disciples. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a disciple "must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it".
Catholics profess their faith publicly through their words and actions. They are called to serve others, to love one another, and to bear spiritual fruit. They obey Jesus' commands and follow him, leaving their past behind. Catholics also profess their faith through evangelisation, sharing the gift of the Gospel and making other disciples. This involves fulfilling the Great Commission to "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you".
Catholics are also called to live out their faith through the Sacraments, which are sacred signs instituted by Jesus Christ that reveal and communicate grace. Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, Catholics receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, enabling them to be witnesses of Christ and to practice their faith in all areas of their lives.
By professing their faith publicly, Catholics play an important role in spreading the teachings of Christ and building the Church. They become living examples of their faith, inspiring others and sharing the joy of knowing Jesus.
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Catholics are called to discipleship through the richness of Christ's teachings in the Gospel
The Catholic Church is founded on the "universal call to holiness". Catholics are drawn to the richness of Christ's teachings in the Gospel and, through this, become disciples of Jesus Christ.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines a disciple as:
> "The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it." (CCC #1816)
Discipleship is not a private matter, nor is it merely a spiritual practice. It is a public commitment to Jesus, lived out through the Church that he founded.
Catholics are called to discipleship through their attraction to Christ's teachings and their love for him. This love is expressed through service to others, as seen in the feeding of the five thousand, where the disciples distributed food. Catholics are called to serve through the seven corporal acts of mercy.
Discipleship requires a deep trust in God and a willingness to leave the past behind, as seen in the example of Peter and Andrew, who "left their nets and followed him" (Mt 4:20). It also involves obeying Jesus' commands, as he said, "you are my friends if you do what I have commanded" (Jn 15:14).
Catholics are called to be witnesses of Christ and to share the Good News of the Gospel with others. This is done through evangelisation, as Jesus commanded his disciples to "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you" (Mt 28:19-20).
Through the richness of Christ's teachings in the Gospel, Catholics are drawn into a personal relationship with him, becoming his disciples and living out their faith publicly through the Church.
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Frequently asked questions
Discipleship is a way of life for Catholics. It involves having a direct personal relationship with Christ, becoming more than just a follower, and living out one's faith publicly.
Disciples are called to serve others, to be committed to Christ, to evangelize, and to bear spiritual fruit. They are also called to obey their master, Jesus, and to love others.
Disciples are called by Jesus, and they choose to follow him in response to God's love. They leave their past behind and follow Jesus with faith.
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