The Cost of Discipleship

(Homily of Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao during the National Catechetical Month 2023 Launching and Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders at San Pedro Cathedral, September 6, 2023)

We are disciples of the Lord; the cost of that discipleship is to carry your own cross. Peter at first was rock on which the church will be built, now he becomes Satan, rock gihapon pero stumbling rock. The question for us today, in our faith, are we like Peter? Sometimes in many ways, maayo nga rock, where faith grows, the church is built up but sometimes we become another rock, skandalon, stumbling rock nga dili mutubo, musimang, ma discourage ang pagtoo. Which kind of rock am I, rock of faith like Simon who was named Peter or mahimong scandal, mahimong stumbling stone for others to grow in faith.

We ask really this question and then ingon si Lord nga this is the way, Peter, that anybody who follows me, must follow my style because you are a disciple. My style is I would suffer, take up my cross and suffer.

In order for you to be called real disciple a student, you don’t only follow what he says but you follow how he dresses, how he walks, how he lives his life, to the letter, that’s why Jesus said, “if you want to be my disciple, like me, you must be able to carry your own cross.” When He said, cross, the only cross that they know, is the standard of execution that time, is the cross gyud. “If you want to follow me be ready for your own crucifixion.” Are you willing to give up your lives, to gain your own souls?