Being a Disciple of Christ
Fernando Dangond, MD, was born in Colombia, South America. He and his wife, Monica, live in Weston, MA, and have been blessed with two sons Daniel and David and a beautiful daughter, Christina (the inspiration behind Build the Faith) who left to be with the Lord 7 years ago.
Dr. Dangond, is a neurologist and scientist who works for a pharmaceutical company developing medicines to treat devastating neurological diseases.
After this the LORD appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. (Luke 10: 1)
When I think about the great privilege experienced by Jesus’ disciples, to have been chosen and sent by God himself to proclaim his word, I feel a mix of fascination, curiosity and awe. I ask myself what would be the attributes shared by these disciples, in terms of their personalities, behaviors, character, level of education, general knowledge, capacity to take risks and to lead groups, power of conviction, and even their affability and sense of humor. I imagine the spiritual certitude required by a pair of disciples to propel them to arrive as foreigners in any town, making it their goal to convince its inhabitants that the Messiah has arrived. It’s an admirable task, and to achieve it is indeed a major feat. All of this was possible because Jesus made sure they felt his presence, the force of his spirit, so they knew they were true messengers of the supernatural light of peace from the Creator.
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
How marvelous it is to walk on the face of the earth experiencing internally the light of God! This experience fills us with a peace that surpasses any human understanding, that pours out irrepressibly, that must be shared with everyone, like a river of love that emanates and flows plentifully!
I have lately been surprised at finding myself engaged in a prayer in which I ask Jesus to make me his disciple. In this prayer, I beg him to infuse in me little drops of his spirit, little rays of his love, so that I can walk through the world spreading that marvelous light that transforms everything. But then I realize that all of us human beings have been already invited by Jesus to be his messengers, through our thoughts, feelings, words and actions. We don’t have to wait for any supernatural sign that energizes us to initiate the task. We already have the tools to be good Christians, glorifying God with our charity work towards our neighbor, proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection without fear of being ridiculed by the non-believers, and knowing firmly that by growing our faith, we’ll embrace more tightly God’s spirit in our interior temple.
… and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)
By carrying Jesus inside as a unique treasure, and externally presenting him with our acts, we become noble disciples of the Lord, warriors of the forces of love, peace and hope in this world convulsed by violence, champions of equity and justice, and heralds of the powerful message that Jesus is our alpha and our omega, our beginning and our end.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14: 6)
There it is, the answer to my prayers: if I follow the road traced by Jesus with the growing force of my faith, I also convert myself in the light of the world, in disciple and messenger, in benefactor and beneficiary. With the spirit of Jesus inhabiting me, I receive and share peace, wisdom, vitality and love, and glorify my Father in heaven.
When I walk with God in my soul, the world shapes itself around my steps, and divine justice rains on my footprints. When I forge my unconditional faith and love towards God and his creation, I see the world with Christ’s eyes. Any suffering on the road, any thorns or prickly shrubs that I step on, will be joined to Christ’s suffering on the cross, to accompany him and to understand him more, strengthening my spirit and giving myself to the world without experiencing fear.
On some occasions, I will stumble, but I’ll get back on my feet every time, with my sights fixated on the power of love. For a messenger of God, there will always be angels ready to help. I invite you to believe in the power of Jesus, to become an obedient disciple, with your thoughts, words and acts. When we imitate Christ, we are true Christians. Jesus is calling all of us to be his disciples. Are you ready to be one?
