Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 4 January 2024
1 John 3:7-10. John 1:35-42
Three poles of discipleship
‘Staying with Jesus (or abiding in him), showing Jesus to others, and bringing others to him are three poles of discipleship.’
The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) present the calling of the first disciples as an initiative from Jesus. Jesus, who sees the disciples in their workplaces, calls them, and they follow him. He calls the apostles ‘to be with him and to be sent out to proclaim the Good News and to cast out the demons’ (cf. Mk 3:14-15).
The Fourth Gospel (John) totally differs. The first disciples follow Jesus on their own; John the Baptist initiates the process by pointing out Jesus. The first disciples go and stay with Jesus. And they proclaim about him.
(a) Staying with Jesus
‘What are you seeking?’ – these are the first words of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel. The question is directed not only to the disciples but also to every reader. In the heart of his or her heart, everyone must answer this question. Like the disciples, who were not clear about the answer, we too are not clear. The disciples pose another question: ‘Rabbi, where do you stay?’ Without any reaction, Jesus tells them, ‘Come and see (for yourself)’. ‘Staying’ or ‘abiding’ is a leitmotif in John. Discipleship begins with staying with Jesus.
(b) Showing Jesus to others
‘People know what we show.’ Andrew shows Jesus to Peter when he tells him, ‘We have seen the Messiah (Christ).’ Andrew could not contain his experience within himself.
(c) Bringing others to Jesus
Andrew brings Simon to Jesus. As soon as Simon sees Jesus, his life takes a new path. Jesus gives him a new name (Cephas) and sets him on a new path. Now, as did Andrew, Simon must stay with Jesus, must show Jesus to others, and must bring others to Jesus.
Discipleship grows like a M.L.M. (multi-level marketing) tree. The circle of discipleship grows from John the Baptist to Andrew, from Andrew to Simon.
The first lesson is that these three actions form the three poles of the triangle of discipleship.
Secondly, all the discourses in the narrative are pointed at Jesus. The implication is that a disciple’s words must always be directed towards the eternal word.
Thirdly, anyone who enters discipleship begins to hide himself. John the Baptist hides behind Andrew, and Andrew hides behind Simon. Disciples cannot take the place of the Master.
Finally, often times we relate the call stories with the vocation stories of priests and religious. Discipleship is not limited to the priesthood or religious life. Everyone who experiences Jesus is a disciple. All of us are called to abide in Jesus, who is found in the Scripture and in the Eucharist.
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‘A disciple is called to profess his faith to others.’ (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1816).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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