Believer or Follower?
Lent, as we know, is a journey and a time of preparation. It is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. For those completing the OCIA (formerly RCIA) process, it is also a special time of anticipation.
At the Easter vigil, we will get to witness them enter the Church as new Catholics. Some will be baptized. All of them will recite a public profession of faith for the first time. As Catholics, we also recite a profession of faith every Sunday at Mass with the Nicene Creed.
A profession of faith always begins with the words “I believe…” and states the beliefs we hold to be true. In reciting a creed, we assert our belief in the core doctrines of our faith. For instance, the Nicene Creed begins:
“I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.”
By reciting these words, we not only state the doctrines we believe, but we also assert that we are believers. Oftentimes, Christians are referred to as “believers”. We believe in Jesus Christ and his Gospel. Indeed, Mark’s Gospel records Jesus’s words just before ascending into heaven as:
“Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mk 16:15)
Jesus certainly emphasizes the need to believe in him and his Gospel message of God’s great love for us. As believers, we believe that in baptism and by inviting Jesus Christ into our hearts, he can save us from sin.
Matthew’s Gospel also records Jesus’ last words before ascending into heaven, although with a slightly different emphasis, in what is often referred to as the Great Commission:
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Mt 28:19-20)
Jesus words here are to his apostles, whom he instructs to go and “make disciples”.
A disciple is a follower. A disciple of Jesus follows Jesus, which is to say the disciple follows his teachings and examples, striving to grow closer to him and to be more like him.
A disciple and a believer are not necessarily the same thing. Being a believer can be completely passive. I can sit on my sofa and say I believe in Jesus. Being a follower requires me to move and to act. Jesus’ original disciples followed Jesus in a physical way, moving from town to town. While Jesus does not walk the Earth in the flesh, he still leads us spiritually. We can follow him as his disciples in this same spiritual way. Yet this following still requires movement and action on our part. Jesus’ Great Commandment to love God and love neighbor requires both spiritual and physical activity on our part.
I believe Jesus wants us to be more than believers, he desires us to be disciples.
So what does it look like to follow Jesus as his disciple? I suggest that his teachings and examples can be summarized as twelve habits of discipleship. These are:
Encounters Jesus through prayer
Encounters Jesus through Scripture
Encounters Jesus through worship and sacraments
Seeks personal and communal spiritual growth
Lives Christian virtues, glorifying God in everyday life
Forgives others and asks for forgiveness
Serves others through acts of mercy
Welcomes visitors and newcomers
Prays for others
Shares faith and encourages others in their spiritual growth
Shares resources generously with the Church and others
Opens oneself to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, even beyond one’s comfort zone
Note each of these habits are activities to do, not beliefs to assent. These activities do build upon our beliefs in Jesus though. Thus discipleship naturally follows belief.
Discipleship is a lifelong journey, it is not static. We can follow Jesus and grow closer to him and grow to be more like him throughout our lives. Lent is a special time to reflect on this journey and consider the next step. As we go through our Lenten journey, I think it is worthwhile to reflect on these habits of discipleship.
Which habits of discipleship am I called to work on at this time? How can I carry these habits forward from Lent into the Easter season? How can I grow as both a believer and as a disciple of Christ?
May your Lenten journey to discipleship be a blessed and fruitful one.
GARY THOME
Gary Thome is a husband, father of five children, and a lifelong Catholic living in northwest Houston. After a successful 32-year career building several billion-dollar technology businesses, Gary left his corporate VP role to found LOVING STONES. He also has served for eight years on the board of directors for the Christian nonprofit, Heartbeat International, providing expertise in strategy, technology, marketing, and finance. He is active in his parish, Prince of Peace Catholic Community, where he has served and led numerous ministries. Photographed with Gary is his wife, Pam, who also is a LOVING STONES of CHRIST Team member.
Favorite Scripture: "Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart’s desire." (Ps 37:4)