Come Follow Me: Discipleship

In September of 1862, the Civil War tilted decisively in favor of the South. The morale of the Northern Army dropped to its lowest point. Large numbers of Union troops were in full retreat in Virginia.

Only one general might be able to reverse the situation. That man was General McClellan. He had trained the men for combat and they loved and admired him.

Ignoring the protests of his advisors, President Lincoln put him back in command of the Union Army. He told them to go and give the soldiers something no other man could give them: enthusiasm, strength, and hope.

McClellan accepted the command and rode down to Virginia on his great black horse.

What happened then is hard to explain. Even McClellan couldn't quite explain it. When he met the retreating Union soldiers, he waved his cap in the air and shouted words of encouragement. When the tired and disheartened men saw their beloved teacher, they began to take heart. They got the feeling that things could change. Excitement grew and grew as the word spread that McClellan was back in command. The Union columns came alive. And this was the turning point in the War. No one could ever quite explain it.

The story of General McClellan illustrates dramatically the impact a leader can have on the human spirit.

We all desire and need leaders who can inspire us and bring out the best in each of us.

All great leaders have that. Napoleon knew he had that power to spark something in the heart of men. He said: "The lightning of my eye, my voice, a word from me, then the sacred fire was kindled in their hearts."

Jesus possessed that power to inspire people, to kindle a fire in their hearts. There was something special about him that attracted people. He was an exciting person to meet, to know.

As people listened to him, they marvelled and said: No man ever spoke like him! He spoke with authority, not like the scribes. These quoted the Scriptures in support of their teachings, but Jesus was himself the authority: I say to you.

Jesus was constantly in touch with God, his Father, and people could sense that as he spoke.

Jesus was also so sincere, so kind and compassionate to all. He never sought his own glory. He could say one day: "Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart."

And, of course, he was merciful to all, especially sinners. He also healed the sick and infirm. Performed many other miracles, even at times raising the dead to life. People flocked to him.

Today we see in the Gospel Jesus calling some of his future apostles to follow him. "Come after me," he says, "I will make you fishers of men." These were Simon (Peter) and Andrew, and James and John. The Gospel tells us that "they immediately abandoned their nets and became his followers." They must have felt extremely honored and privileged to be caled by Jesus to become his followers. Such was the appeal of Jesus on those who came in contact with him.

We too have been called by Jesus to become his disciples. He wants to enter our lives as he entered the lives of the first Apostles.

We must open the door of our heart to Jesus. We must respond to his invitation: Come after me. But we must also be ready, like the first Apostles, to pay the price. They left everything behind to follow Jesus. They left their boats and fishing gear, their family...

That means we must be ready to risk everything for Jesus. Ready to give up anything he may require of us to do his work. He often demands sacrifices of what we would like to possess or to do. "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me." Many crosses come our way. It's part of life. How do we accept our daily crosses?

The hardest thing to give up is our proper will. We are so inclined to ask God in our prayers that he do our will, rather than we do his! We cannot be tue followers of Jesus unless we put the will of God first, make him the center of our lives.

But that is the secret of true happiness. Always saying YES to God. Not my will but yours be done. When we have met Jesus and heard his call, "Come follow me," when we have been won by his charm, inspired and fascinated by his personality, then we can say: Yes, Lord, here I am. I want to follow you, no matter what the price. Amen.

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