How can Jesus ask us to follow him if we are the slave? A slave loses all rights to freedom!

Doesn’t Jesus promise us freedom if we follow him?

These are not contradictions but, the conditions of discipleship. Because, a disciple is committed to doing the desires of the master. Isn’t that a condition of a slave? NO!

The No, is because Jesus asks us to act out of Love for One Another – NOT out of submission to a tyrant’s will. Jesus isn’t a tyrant but a lover of everyone. So, the slave part of Jesus comment is not to act out of obligation but out of genuine love. Since God IS Love (1 John 4:8)

The desire to act out genuine concern for another is a result of virtuous living – a habit – a life lived in community. One does not care for people unknown to them; for causes maybe. But, to live in the common efforts of a community that seeks to improve the lives of others – is to be part of a joint effort – that is the work of THE CHURCH. A community of Jesus’ Disciples acting in the love of God.

This very definition is how Jesus lived as an example of what he meant when he said:

“… because apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

 “… if I have all faith, so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:2b)

The good we do is only “good” if it is done through the grace of love Jesus freely gives us.

The LOVE of God is using the love we receive from Jesus (in the Eucharist) to act for good!

May God Bless you!

Fr. Patrick Nelson, SDS