The word "disciple" literally means someone who wishes to be a "learner." Moreover, a disciple is someone who follows another's teaching, and believes in it. Discipleship is a commitment and a process. It involves commitment, and time to undertake the learning. A Christian disciple must be motivated by a yearning to imitate Jesus. In today's gospel we hear Christ's calling the disciples. The call of the disciples is rooted in the mission of Jesus, and this call is to change the disciples' lives forever. The disciples are not only to hear the word of God but act on it. So the first disciples leave everything and follow Jesus. We are all called to Christ himself. We are called into a relationship. Jesus calls us to a level of intimacy that can only be sustained by his constant presence in our lives. Discipleship without Jesus is no discipleship at all. We may not understand all that discipleship involves or all that it will cost us, but Jesus calls us to take the first step, and, through that obedience, we develop the additional faith necessary to take the next step.