March 4, 2015
Sayings on Discipleship
A reading from the Gospel of Saint Luke 14, 25 – 35:
Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘That one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciples.
Salt is good, but if salt itself loses its taste, with what can its flavor be restored? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”
I wish to thank all those who phoned me and wish me a Happy Birthday. There are still some who phoned me today. I also thank all those who sent me a birthday gift and also I thank all those who prayed for me. May the Lord bless you all and fill you with His love, peace and joy.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“You have to love Me above every person, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters, if you want to be My disciple. It is written in the Bible that you have to hate your father and mother, your wife and children, your brothers and sisters, and even your own life, to become My disciple. Now the word used here is “hate” but what I meant was “to love Me above all the others.” I must be the first in your life otherwise you will follow the others and at times you will reject Me. If what others say is contrary to what I taught you, then you are to follow Me and not the others who might be close relatives of yours.
I gave you the simile of salt. If salt loses its taste, it is no good and it is thrown out. You are to be like salt with your great taste of love. You are called to love Me with all your heart and soul and you will be blessed. Keep up the good work and never forget that I am there with you at all times. I love you and I give you all the graces you need.”
Father Melvin