Catechesis Day 2. Theme - discipleship. Plus Papal welcome.

Archbishop Of New York Tom Dolan - Definition of discipleship: holiness means friendship with Jesus. JP II was first a disciple of Jesus. It is not just being a student, but learning the life of Jesus the wisdom of the teacher. It is a profound intermate reverent friendship with Jesus. How can we become better disciples of Jesus?

1 - We need to spend more time with Jesus. This is done with prayer. Whilst we need to improve in our prayer lives we are not unlike the apostles who asked Jesus teach them to pray. We don't need to get caught up with many words so much as simple direct sincere prayers of those in the gospels eg Lord remember me in your kingdom. Praise, Request, Apologise, Yes (lord to your invitations )

2 - Have a meal together, with Jesus. Jesus often ate with his disciples. The mass is our sacred meal with Jesus. Especially on Sunday. Also spend time in prayer before the Eucharist.

3 - Get to know the master better. This can be done through reading the bible, in particular through prayerful  meditative reading the Gospels.

4 - friendship mean that we want to change the things in our life which is contrary to teaching of Jesus. It means repentance,  conversion, metanoia. Our whole life is about this. repent and believe. Jesus invites to conversion of heart. discipleship means turning our back on sin and turning towards him. Conversion! we need to start with conversion of ourselves rather than other people. Eg Mother Theresa was asked there we're two things in the world me and you.

5- Learn to say I'm sorry. The 6 Words for a successful marriage are: "I love you" and "I am sorry". An honest sincere confession will jumpstart your spiritual life.

6- friendship means also hanging out with your friend's friends. The Church are these friends. In discipleship we we would want to spend time with the people of church. The temptation today is to try to have Jesus on your own. But Saul is knocked off his horse and Jesus says "Saul, Saul , why are you persecuting me?" Because the church and Jesus are the same. We are part of Jesus best friends.

7- we are willing to suffer, sacrifice, and even die for our new friend. There is a cost to discipleship (Deitrih Bonhoeffer ) we must be prepared to "take up your cross and come follow me". Included in this is identifying and serving with the poor and marginalised. We are called to love and serve them.

Mass homily- archbishop cardinal Dolan

We carry the dying and rising of Jesus. We are absorbed into it. Ray dietz becomes brother Elias Becoming a new identity in Christ. In RCIA, a gamblers addict realised the need for God's grace to Break his habit. On his baptism he had left a poker chip in the baptismal font as a way of dying to Christ. We are constantly dying and rising with Christ. We do this daily. Eg the normal struggles in life. We die to our common urges eg getting up in the morning. Also when persecution and difficulties arise, eg a nurse who was retrenched because she refused to assist with an abortion. Once every 11 minutes a Christian dies for their faith. In our lives we do not suffer red martyrdom but suffer white martyrdom in everyday hardships. We also suffer sin, and return to Jesus via reconciliation. We also share in the paschal mystery when we physically die. We have even given the opportunity of eternal life. As Christians we have hope in death. When we die in Christ we rise to eternal life with him.

Papal welcome:

Pope Francis spoke of challenging the youth to put on Faith, put on hope, and put on love. In doing so we become transformed in Christ and more able to shine in the world. Whilst worldly materials can give temporary happiness they are not long lasting. Only by putting on faith, hope and love can we be whole.