A spiritual reflection on the path of discipleship

An Extended Study Guide for Families and Groups on Archbishop Paul Coakley’s Pastoral Letter “Go Make Disciples! Building a Culture of Conversion and Discipleship”
 
Reflection 1
 
Gather (5-7 minutes based on study group size and familiarity)
 
After introductions, slowly pray this prayer together as a group: “O Lord, open our eyes to see where you would lead us. Awaken our ears that we would hear your voice guiding us. Inspire our minds that we may comprehend your love for us. Guide our feet to walk in your way. Fill our hearts with peace and joy we gather together now in name of our Lord Jesus. Amen.”
 
Proclaim (10 minutes)
Ask the group to consider these questions quietly:
 

• When was the first time you left home for a trip?
• What was it like?
• How did you prepare?
• When you travel now, do you pack too much or do you leave items behind?

 
After a moment of consideration, invite the group to take turns reading the following text aloud. In January 2019, Archbishop Coakley released his pastoral letter, “Go Make Disciples! Building a Culture of Conversion and Discipleship” to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.
 
In the letter, he reflects on his journeys on the Camino de Santiago and how he fervently prays to the Holy Spirit for the grace and wisdom to faithfully serve the archdiocese. He shares his hopes and plans for building the Kingdom of God in Oklahoma. Such hopes and plans are rooted in his prayer for a New Pentecost to lead to a New Evangelization in the archdiocese.
 
At the first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles who were in hiding for fear that they too would be put to death. A mighty wind rushed through the upper room where they gathered and tongues of fire rested upon each of them.
 
The images of wind and fire are biblical images of the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. That day the Apostles were filled with this power, their fear was transformed into courage and boldness and their silence broke into joyful proclamation of Jesus Christ. From that moment on, the Apostles traveled to the ends of the earth proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior.
 
Archbishop Coakley prays that the same Holy Spirit stirs in each one of us a renewed commitment to encounter Jesus daily in ongoing transformation, and a burning desire to share him with a world that so desperately needs him. Every baptized person has been made a child of God, a member of Jesus Christ’s body – the Church, and a participant in his mission of building up the Kingdom of God. Living as a disciple of Christ is living our deepest identity. It benefits us to often reflect on our call to discipleship.
 
Share (10 minutes)
Invite them to write the names and contact information of group members in the front of their study guides. Encourage them to pray for each other during this study. Explain that there is a daily reading guide on the next page to lead them through a section of the archbishop’s pastoral letter in preparation for the next session.
 
Close with this invitation: Throughout the upcoming week, ask the Lord for a deeper desire to know him and experience his love. Surrender your journey to him, having confidence that he will be your guide and your companion.
 
Simply state throughout each day this week: Jesus, I trust you and I want to know you more. The call to discipleship is an invitation for every person. Discipleship is not a “one and done” experience but a lifelong journey. The destination is the same for every person who accepts the invitation to follow Jesus, but each person’s path will look different because of their life situations and experiences.
 
This study reflects on the various stages of discipleship, which Archbishop Coakley introduces on pages 23-25 of his pastoral letter. The four stages of encounter accompany, community and send are somewhat cyclical as each new experience of encountering Christ builds on the previous and leads to a more intimate accompaniment. Therefore, this study is helpful for people at any stage along the path of discipleship. We are called to learn from one another to encourage one another, and journey with one another. The path of discipleship is never meant to be traveled alone.
 
Share (10 minutes)
Open the group discussion by prompting the following questions and inviting participants to respond.
 

• What comes to mind when you hear the word “disciple?”
• In what ways have you experienced the call to discipleship?
• What do you need right now to further or strengthen your journey of discipleship?
• How does your family or parish live as a community of disciples?

 
Send (2-3 minutes)
Encourage them to pray for each other during this study. Explain that there is a daily reading guide on the next page to lead them through a section of the Archbishop’s pastoral letter in preparation for the next session.
 
Close with this invitation: Throughout the upcoming week, ask the Lord for a deeper desire to know him and experience his love. Surrender your journey to him, having confidence that he will be your guide and your companion. Simply state throughout each day this week: Jesus, I trust you and I want to know you more.