Discipleship is the means by which the thought world of God becomes accessible to us, and Discipleship is like learning a language – you never learn a language without learning a culture at the same time, and getting the words right requires also getting the culture right.

Humility certainly begins with the recognition of our weakness and insufficiency, our shame and confusion. If, however, it doesn’t advance beyond that, then our humility is just egoism in disguise

The people generally went along without a peep. With a shrug and a laconic “Whatever” they lapsed into being “nones” – people with no specific religious identity. Is this us?

The cost is Everything but we receive Everything, too. We receive the life of Christ Himself, the “pearl of great price,” and we can receive it every day if we want. Our lives, for that reason, always have meaning and purpose. We are delivered from nearly all confusion about what the right thing to do is.

Inattention to little things in the end means indifference to excellence, competence and growth. Little things are inseparable from the big things.

Years of discipleship mean that for years we have lived close to the One who is the meaning of life. Years of discipleship mean we don’t have to wonder what the meaning and purpose of our lives is. It means we are spared many of the burdens of uncertainty, shame, and guilt. It means we have a supportive community around us all the time providing comfort, guidance, and care.

So why would Jesus talk like that? It may be because He wanted the disciples to be clear about the kinds of things crowds would say about them. Maybe He wanted to direct them to the people and places where they would be most effective.

The disciples didn’t have the Bible, the sacraments, and the Holy Spirit so they had to think it through, talk it through, and write it down. We have the opportunity with all those things to “get it”.

We who are criticizing the disciples for being dunces have a terrific advantage that the disciples didn’t have until after the Resurrection, viz., all of us who have been baptized and confirmed have received the Holy Spirit, as Jesus promised.

It is important not just to listen to the thoughts of great scholars on the Bible, but just as much to think and talk about the Bible with peers, discussing and striving with each other until some fresh insight pops out.

Teach them, encourage them, be an example to them, show them Jesus in you.

St Matthias reminds us that we have to be running hard all the time just to keep up with the Holy Spirit .

The enemy is sin and death, and they are ready to play the very long game.

Extraordinary and extravagant discipleship is the new normal.

So go to a place where you are likely to find Jesus, and wait.

Successful believers and Churches organize themselves around the things the Bible has identified that build up intimacy with Jesus.

All the believers in the world today are disciples of Christ because people decided to translate the gospel of Jesus into a new language.