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November 14, 2019We are called to be disciples, called to evangelize the world within the context of everyday life. Kevin Cotter’s “Called” was written “to convince us that being an everyday disciple is not just something we should do out of obligation but something we are made for – something we do, not because we have to, but because love compels us.”
I venture to guess that most adult Catholics are aware of this “call.” And, I guess that many who are aware of this “call” are responding as best they know how through personal service. However, I feel there are some adult Catholics who, like me, may be aware of the “call” but unclear on how to respond.
“Called” offers some interesting insight and a five-week guide that can be useful for those already on the journey of discipleship and for those in need of guidance on how to begin their own journey.
The author draws on his 15 years of mission work on college campuses and utilizes the “Win-Build-Send” model of the FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) organization as the foundation for his five-week guide.
- WIN relates to the foundation for serving as a disciple. It involves personal encounter and relationship with Jesus Christ.
- BUILD relates to the “ways of thinking and habits that allow us to be followers of the one we are called to imitate.
- SEND relates to the vision for our evangelization.
Cotter’s five-week guide is designed to be read daily and each chapter provides opportunity for self-examination, meditation and reflection on topics such as: encountering Jesus, what Jesus is asking of us as he calls for us to be disciples, and creating a vision on why we need to evangelize and make disciples of others.
Responding to the call for being a disciple can be challenging. Learning to be “fishers of men” requires commitment, love and service. Cotter’s book can be helpful in overcoming these challenges and help us renew our personal relationship with Jesus. And, by the grace of God, we can grow to be the kind of Catholic disciples we are called to be.
The book was very helpful in expanding my vision for being like Jesus. I highly recommend this book and feel it will inspire and equip you to reach out to others and lead them to be Jesus’ disciples.
John H. Dolezal is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
