WHY FOLLOW?

Lately, I have been meditating on my motivations to continue following Jesus, the motivations that got me into religious life, in the first place. I am really conviced that Jesus never discourage anyone from following him. Never. He wants more followers. So if we talk about Jesus purifying our motivations, that means, I believe, that Jesus, when he calls me, he bids me to open my heart to God's dream for humanity. Jesus actually expands, extends, enlarges my heart, my vision, my ambition to God's dimensions. By saying "yes" to Jesus I let he open my heart to embrace the world and beyond. As a good vine grower, he prunes the vine so that it may expands, flourish and bear greater fruit. because one who believes in Jesus will do greater works than those Jesus did. Thus, a grain needs to die so as to give life to a bigger tree and more fruits. I have come to believe that the cross is a necessary passage from "me for me" to "me for others." Jesus does not take nothing from me when he calls me, rather he gives me the world according to God's dimensions and God's vision. My eyes cannot see far enough. Jesus gives me the Spirit, God's binoculars, through which I can see the world the way God sees it. Jesus tells me that the sea is ready for the catch, an abundant catch of fish, if only I would follow and be faithful. I think the fear of people today about following Jesus or giving their lives for Jesus is due to the fact that Jesus demands all as he gives all. we are afraid because we think we not worthy of the greatness and abundance that God reveals to us. Jesus calls us because he knows what is in store us. Jesus calls for the highest glory possible, God's glory: AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM. Jesus demands all because he gives all, namely the Spirit of God. In Jesus we are given God, whose love has been outpoured into our hearts by the Spirit of courage and hope. It came to my mind that this is why I keep on following, because I want God and share in God's glory, spread God's glory in the world. Thus, I think, this life is for those who are ambitious, driven, those who will not settle for what their ego asks of them. God is the limit. Life broken and shared, is wellspring of hope. This is the everlasting life, the miracle that God operates in our life. So with Peter, we can exclaim, MASTER, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO? YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE. WE HAVE COME TO BELIEVE AND ARE CONVINCED THAT YOU ARE THE HOLY ONE OF GOD (John 6:68-69).