In recent months, we have walked together on a profound spiritual journey, reflecting on what it means to be a true disciple of Christ. If our focus before was on "being" — on the inner transformation the Holy Spirit works in us — now the Lord invites us to take a step further. The Great Commission recorded in Matthew 28:18-20 is not just a call for a few chosen ones, but an invitation Jesus extends to all who follow Him. When we understand that we have the authority of the Son of God and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we realize that each of us is called to make disciples.
Pope Francis, who passed to the Father's House in April 2025, often reminded us that faith is not to be kept, but to be shared. His successor, Pope León XIV, elected in May 2025, continues this pastoral legacy, emphasizing the importance of personal encounter with Christ and with our neighbor. Our ecumenical platform EncuentraIglesias.com celebrates this diversity of expressions of Christian faith, uniting us in the essential: love for God and neighbor.
The Transformative Gaze: How Jesus Saw Potential
Jesus, the Master par excellence, possessed an extraordinary ability to see beyond appearances. He did not choose the most educated, the wealthiest, or the most respected by the society of His time. Fishermen, tax collectors, marginalized women — all were called and transformed by His grace-filled gaze. The narrative of the calling of Matthew, the tax collector, is particularly revealing:
"As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. 'Follow me,' he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him." (Matthew 9:9, NIV)Jesus did not see just a dishonest tax collector; He saw a future evangelist, a disciple who would write one of the four Gospels.
This transformative perspective is what we need to cultivate in our lives. How often do we fail to approach someone because we judge by appearance, past failures, or present limitations? The apostle Paul exhorts us:
"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer." (2 Corinthians 5:16, NIV)We need to learn to see people not only for who they are, but for who they can become in Christ.
Three Characteristics of Christ's Gaze
First, Jesus saw with compassion. Facing the crowds, He did not see just faces, but needy hearts:
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36, NIV)Second, He saw with hope. Peter, who would deny Him three times, was not discarded, but restored and commissioned. Third, Jesus saw with purpose. Each person had a unique place in God's plan.
Practicing the Disciple-Maker's Gaze in Daily Life
How can we develop this ability to identify potential in the people around us? Begin by cultivating the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life, for it is He who grants us spiritual discernment. Pray regularly asking God to give you His eyes to see people. Look beyond surfaces — in casual conversations, interactions at work, in the neighborhood, even on social media.
Ask yourself these questions when you meet someone: What is good in this person that I can affirm? What natural gifts or talents do I perceive in them? How could this person grow in the knowledge of Christ? How could they serve God's Kingdom with their unique gifts? Remember that discipleship often begins with a simple invitation: "Come and see" (John 1:39).
- Initiate meaningful conversations, showing genuine interest
- Observe the natural gifts people demonstrate
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