Whose Disciple?

Today’s Gospel Text:  Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 19 And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. 21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; if he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but new wine is for fresh skins." Mark 2:18-22

Reflection: As the master so too are the disciples.

A disciple will seek to imitate his master; or rather in the first place, a disciple opts for a master according to the nature of his heart which could vibe with his master’s thoughts and which expresses it perfectly and in great depth.  

Likewise, says Jesus: “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully taught will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:40-41

Hence in the world there will always be disciples and followers with a master. Some will have them with deception and some with truth on their side.

Of our selves we cannot be masters or guru's: ".. if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." Matt 15:14

We as Christians are supposed to be masters and disciples at the same time, by virtue of our following of the supreme and the greatest ever master; Jesus Christ and only by abiding in him. (cfr. Jn.15:5)

To follow Christ is not like following the many who seek disciples, either as an individual or as a congregation in the church, or as an institution or for some social or political cause.

Christ is the harbinger of all truth, the perfect master, the greatest example in human history, who has the answer and is still alive to guide his flock, not just through his body the church but also through the promised Holy Spirit and through his holy servants whose spirit still permeates the church.  

As in this gospel text above; whether it was John’s disciple or the disciples of the Pharisees, whether they did it right or wrong, they ultimately have to consult the Lord.

Jesus, in keeping with the law of discipleship and human wisdom, apparently may have got it all wrong yet when we listen to his wisdom we realize that what he has is the perfect answer with no need for human additions to perfect it.

The calling should be very clear; do not go by the stature of the individuals who may at times be wolves in sheep’s clothing, or even if one is entangled, the truth which leaves men with no excuse remains: the greatest master ever has revealed himself in Jesus so as not to be deceived by any sinful deception.

What is more, he even gives us the grace to free ourselves from the deceptive guru's of the world and helps us to see the futility of their wisdom. 

Prayer: Lord, purify my heart that I may sincerely seek you and be guided by your wisdom in all things.

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