Growing In Discipleship

FOREWORD GROWING IN DISCIPLESHIP is the first presentation of the Asian Jesus Caritas Publications (AJCP) to people who are tracing the footsteps of Christ. The AJCP is an initiative that has grown out of the tireless search of diocesan priests for a genuine spirituality and their desire to share with others the discoveries and insights of their search and pilgrimage. Fr. Asi is the first one to share with us the fruits of his discoveries as he contemplates on the mysteries of Jesus' life and ponders not only on the challenges but also on the human warmth of the Gospel message. Asi is a biblical scholar and a researcher of the contextual and folk relevance of the Scriptures. His heart and commitment are rooted on his desire to make the Gospel message a living experience for priests, religious and lay people. Moving away from purely academic treatment, he uses also insights from sociology and the human sciences in ministering at the 'Breaking of the Word." In all the talks that Asi gives, it is most of all his heart that speaks and guides his thoughts and reflections. We see this clearly in GROWING IN DISCIPLESHIP, as he presents to us St. John's accounts of the experiences and insights of the apostles in their "seeking, staying and abiding" with the Lord. These talks were given to the seminarians of the National Major Seminary in Dhaka during their retreat on February 12 and 13, 1993. He was invited also to give similar reflections to the diocesan priests of