Standing in the center of my tiny back yard garden, I was pleased and amazed at the effect of those heavy downpours that have marked the beginning of our rainy season.

Where stunted growth existed due to our dry season, luxuriant growth was now evident.

The “bald spots” in lawn areas were now transformed into thick healthy, green mats. Efforts on my part, during the dry spell, meant constant watering with strongly chlorinated tap water. growth occurred but it was minimal compared to what was evident before me.

That outpouring of clean, fresh rain water now presented me with a new task – constant trimming and pruning.

The words of Jesus in today's gospel remind me of those heavy downpours. Like pure, fresh rain water they have the power to effect radical changes and produce “new” growth in our lives.

Jesus proclaims in this passage:-

“ Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me .”

He continues in a similar vein. “ Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me .”

An even stronger statement follows: “ Any one who finds his life will lose it and anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it .”

Our worthiness, according to Jesus, is based on the choices we make and our continuous adherence to the gospel values he teaches.

There will be minor and major crucifixion as we struggle to meet the demands of true discipleship. But it is our ability to stand firm, to “prefer” the alienation or “ostracism” that will result from the choices we make or the principles we maintain,

This is what it means to take up the cross and to follow his footsteps.

Taking the cross is not simply accepting our personal “crucifixions” of pain or loss when we experience them but also, keeping in line with the footsteps of Christ.

There are many among us who will consider the Gospel message as being unrealistic, outmoded or out of touch with the reality of today's problems.

The disciple however, continues to maintain that these values are external and divine like the downpours of rain, we receive and we welcome. As nature's ongoing role and impact in our lives, the message of Jesus is timeless. Discipleship relies on this message to reach others in our societies and through all ages.

As I reflect on the role of the disciple in the light of today's gospel, I am reminded of Senator Angela Cropper. Her recent statements on the death penalty, have I am sure, stunned many.

Here is a woman who stands firm in her belief that hanging the person who caused the loss of three significant persons whom she must have cherished deeply, is not the solution for crime, even as heinous as the one committed. I see, or perceive, by the stand she has made, a person who reflects what is required of a true disciple of Jesus.

There is no doubt that there are those who will not agree with or accept Angela Cropper's position.

Yet, there are others, who perhaps guided by different principles because of different beliefs will welcome and embrace the same principles that guide her.

Jesus was and is aware of the impact his message will have on the world. His message is for all who will receive it and accept it as a new and radical way to live. Like him, we will lose our lives, but we will discover a new and everlasting life because we have remained his disciples.

The Church must remain the greatest disciple of Jesus as she struggles to find and offer new and creative ways to cope with societal ills.

Let us not forget that as prophets, or as “little ones” in the world, others will be welcomed into the kingdom and receive their rewards because they have welcomed us as they recognise our worthiness as disciples. Let us, therefore, remain faithful disciples and servants of God's divine Son.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father forgive us for the times when we were “unworthy” because we preferred the ways that led us to follow different directions.

Perhaps, we told ourselves, it is better to accept and embrace the short term solutions that helped us “find our lives” – lives of security, comfort, acceptance and fellowship with others. We were encouraged to support the status quo so that we could find a way of living with those we love and cherish that did not involve sacrifices.

Maybe, Lord, we began to give up hope or we became afraid – so afraid that we have lost interest in your principles as a way of bringing new life to our societies.

Lord, we ask you to bless those who remind us that we must continue to be your faithful disciple; people life Angle Cropper, who affirm for us, that even in the midst of pain and loss, we can continue to uphold principles that may go against the present feelings and attitude of the crowds in our society.

Thank you Lord for the gift of this Gospel as it reminds us of our roles as disciples in this nation and in the world.

Gospel Meditations for the month of June are by Dianne Diaz, a teacher at Arima Girls' RC.