The Way of the Disciple

by Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis

This book explores in depth six Gospel scenes so as to discover in these the essential elements of Christian discipleship. It describes the basic requirements for receiving the Word of God effectively in our namely, that we "become wet clay in God's hands", so that God can impress upon us any form he chooses. It also contemplates the vital position of the Mother of the Lord in the life of his disciples. The author shows that the call to discipleship is above all an invitation to intimate companionship with Jesus, as we read in "Jesus called to him those whom he desired… in order that they might be with him" (3:14-15). What we normally call the "active apostolate" can never be an end in itself, but only the fruits of a life of prayer and adoration. These are what must be at the heart of a disciple's life, which can never be swept up by mere activism.

Genres: Catholic, Christian, Faith, Spirituality, Theology, Religion

148 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2003

About the author

Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis (now Fr. Simeon, OCSO) is a Trappist monk and accomplished author, preacher, and retreat master.

He received his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and Theology from Emory University.. His areas of interest include liturgy and liturgical texts, Georg Trakl's poetry, the Gospel of Matthew, French and German poetry of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Greek and Roman classics, and Dante.

Father Simeon entered the St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, MA in April of 2003 and was ordained to the priesthood in May of 2013. He is currently serving as secretary to the Abbot General in Rome. He continues as editor of the Monastic Wisdom Series for Cistercian Publications. When at his monastery in Spencer he leads retreats in the Abbey Retreat House, pitches in as community cook and does his part in the regular round of chores. Father Simeon tells us that he treasures: “the rhythm of the common life that draws me back to essentials even when I am most distracted or concerned with more relative things.”

He has also translated numerous works for Ignatius Press, including several books by Hans Urs von Balthasar.

Reviews

[Audrey Monahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book certainly lived up to the hype—it has the kind of content that you need to read multiple times to appreciate its depth and I will definitely read it again.

The thesis of the book can be summarized as follows:
"The way of the disciple is necessarily a way of discipline, because discipleship is the living school in which we learn how to be like Christ by intimate association with him. The discipline of Christian life is supposed to provide a structure that systematically excludes all the pseudo-adventures and pseudo-fulfillments offered by a frivolous world. Christian discipline is there to open the way for the real adventure of the soul's quest for God and God's quest for the soul, and it would be tragic if instead this discipline became its own end (pg. 27)."

Some of my favorite thought-provoking points brought up by Erasmo:

- "But how can Christ enrich us if we are already rich by our own efforts (pg. 22)?"
- "How can I expect to be embraced by God as I am if I will not embrace my sister and brother unless they conform to the image of them I have myself created (pg. 28)?"
- "After all, for the sake of our redemption the Son himself had to let go of the glory of equality with the Father, and for love of the world the Father abandoned the Son to the Cross (pg. 65)." ~ This is just absolutely mind-boggling when you think about Jesus' humility and God the Father's love in this way... probably my favorite point brought up in the entire book to meditate on~
- "God, it would appear from Sacred Scripture, chose to redeem us, not out of radical divine solitariness, but by involving many persons as collaborators with his divine purpose (pg. 137)."

[Joseph Heaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me forever. Really awesome meditations on Discipleship found in the Gospels. Sometimes the content was a lot for my little brain to comprehend. The last chapter on Mary was increíble and very convicting.

[Caroline Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way of the Disciple took a deep dive into the heart of Christ through the analysis of just a few excerpts from the Gospels all while putting together a simple framework to guide one on the path to true discipleship. Every line left me rethinking my own discipleship journey and made me want to stop and pray to contemplate how I could apply each point in my own life. While this was a short book, it took me a long time to read it because the profoundness of each line made me backtrack frequently to absorb the content. I never annotate books, but I couldn’t help underlining and folding the pages of this book.
The Way of the Disciple is written in an easy to follow along style with each chapter beginning with a simple point and well known story from one of the Gospels that is analyzed with increasing depth as the chapter progresses. By the end of each chapter, I was rethinking not only how I read each passage, but how I read scripture as a whole.
I would recommend not only reading, but annotating, re-reading this book!

[Jessica Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Very good spiritual reading that focuses on what we can learn about discipleship from Jesus’ encounters with people in the Gospels. The chapter “Between the Ascension and Pentecost” resonates especially deeply right now in light of COVID19, when the apostles are left without Jesus’ physical presence and are undergoing a period of waiting that appears to be fruitless but is actually when God is doing immense work in their hearts to prepare them to receive his Spirit and be sent out.

[Vanessa Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis has become one of my favorite contemporary spiritual writers. This book is a beautiful invitation to contemplative prayer and conversion as he focuses on the essential elements of discipleship. I am always amazed at the richness he can extract from familiar Gospel scenes. I especially loved his chapters on the Samaritan woman at the well and Simon and the woman who anoints Jesus. Highly recommend this little book as well as his much larger work on Matthew "Fire of Mercy."

"The essential thing is not to look away from Jesus, because, as long as he is there at the center of our souls reclining on the couch of our heart, we can be sure that we shall not greatly go astray from his way."

"We recall once again that God's beauty and goodness, reflected on the Face of Jesus, may be beheld only by those who first see themselves as the sinners and wounded souls they truly are.... The way toward the contemplation of God's beauty begins with the recognition of one's own deformity and ugliness, that is, of our need to be re-created, reformed, made beautiful in our soul by loving contact with the Father's incarnate love, Jesus of Nazareth."

"No one can be a disciple without first being a contemplative. The heart of Jesus' intention in choosing his followers is that they might be with him: above all, Jesus wants to share his life with us, and this too- the longing to be with Jesus- should be the gravitational pull to which all our desires should hasten."

[Emma Gratton]

Some good stuff in here, but not my cup of tea

[Sophie Zell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book taught me (maybe for the first time?) how to pray with and understand scripture. Every time I pick up this book, I'm left hanging on every word, thinking deeply about how small words and stories have such a great impact. Attended a bible study over this book jam packed with meaningful conversation and connection. Huge for the interior life

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am I buying a copy for each one of bible study gals to give to them as a parting gift? Yes I am. Tangibly explains discipleship and gives you lots to pray with such a small book!

[Rainee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially picked up this book because my friends on the Poco a Poco podcast speak often & highly of Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis and I wanted to check him out!

I think this is going to be one of those books that I read once or twice a year, or on and off all together, for the rest of my life. I mean - the way of the disciple?? Who doesn’t need to learn more and more about that or be reminded regularly of the importance of living a life for the glory of God?? I know I do! And this book does it so well & gently & beautifully through certain scripture passages.

“If we have ears attuned to his voice and hearts willing to learn what his Heart has to teach, in every line of the Gospel we will hear Christ calling us to enter into his intimacy and destiny as disciples.”

I want to be a friend & disciple of Christ! Come, Holy Spirit!

[Emma Devine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for small group this semester! Great book for discussion with a group and has some great quotes but didn’t impact me too dramatically. Didn’t feel super cohesive? Maybe because I read it so chaotically

[Leslie Moellering · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the short chapters as they looked at some events in the gospels and what we can learn from them to be better disciples of Christ.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so good and worth it. Best way to read it: Read it slowly, read some lines again and again, sit with what moves you.

[Neil Blanchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple of chapters were duds for me, but I was probably sleepy. Will definitely re-read.

[Tara Lauderdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite spiritual writings. It’s short and simple, and truly packs a punch! I continue to go back to this amazing writing. First few chapters are by far the most profound!

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most profound spiritual books I’ve ever read.

[Joseph R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This slender volume is a meditation on six gospel passages as they relate to discipleship. Each passage brings out a different nuance or facet. The author goes through them in rich detail, noting little bits that would slip past a casual reader. For example, when blind Bartimaeus is cured by Jesus, Jesus tells him that he can be on his way. The gospel simply reports that Bartimaeus then follows the Lord. But Jesus's words are not a command to follow but invitation to do whatever he wants. Bartimaeus could go back to his family or start a new life with his new vision. But he chooses to follow Christ freely.

Following Christ is not an easy path to take. The challenge for disciples is to point the way to Jesus for others without seeking personal glory. Often, the task is filled with hardships and letting go of worldly things. The good news is that the love inspired by God in us (grace) makes these acts easier to do if less understandable to the secular world. Mary, the Mother of God, is the crowning example of discipleship. She carries Jesus to others (even physically) but does not seek her own glory. She mediates between men and God precisely in pointing them to God as the one to be obeyed and loved. Likewise we are called to present God to others, abandoning ourselves to His will and His love.

The Way of the Disciple is an inspiring and challenging book.

[Emmanuel Roldan · Rating 5 out of 5]

With thorough exegesis, imaginative hermeneutics, and beautiful writing, this book offers practical steps for disciples who seek to follow Jesus. The writer takes different scenes from the gospels to expound what it might look like to follow Jesus today. The book reads much like a spiritual-theological commentary on the gospel passages. His description of Simon, the Pharisee, provides a good example of his powerful use of language: “He was, in other words, a spiritual mercenary, seeking to profit from Jesus’ presence. Simon had no wish whatsoever for Jesus to transform his life; he merely wanted to use Jesus to canonize his own conceit” (89). In contrast to Simon, “God lives with the fact that most of us seem to need time to taste both good and evil, in order to mature in our final decision, for the good. If God allows us to sin, it is for us to learn how easily we turn toward evil, and that our only hope lies in him” (88). I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a define spiritual reading.

[Caleb Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, just excellent. It is essentially a collection of “lectio divina” reflections with a focus on the theme of discipleship. The author is obviously a contemplative man who does not let any gospel passage’s details go unnoticed. I loved it, and would certainly recommend it. Heavily highlighted and extremely quotable.

“ But how can Christ enrich us if we are already rich by our own efforts, if we keep on building bigger and bigger silos to store away our own precious accomplishments with a kind of ecstatic greed? And, even if we are materially poor and unambitious, do we still not tend to practice a kind of spiritual greed? A test would be to ask myself whether I can really be poor, silent, and joyous while at prayer in the presence of the Beloved, or whether I come to him only to win him over to my own thousand projects and desires.”

Excerpt From
The Way Of The Disciple
Leiva-Merikakisi, Erasmo
This material may be protected by copyright.

[Brother Gregory Rice, SOLT · Rating 5 out of 5]

An author incredibly worth knowing. Now a Trappist after raising 9 children with his wife, Erasmo's (now Fr. Simeon) writing places an emphasis on listening to the Word and a contemplative relationship with Christ. This is a spiritual read that I think I will return to again and again as a re-focusing point. It is simple, beautifully written and creates an imperative in the heart.

In the form of a lectio divina, poring over 5 or 6 Gospel encounters, Fr. Simeon meditates on the Heart of Christ and elucidates the dispositions of heart that open us to being able to "see" Him.

[Casey Papp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came super highly recommended to me as the “greatest book of all time” and quite honestly fell short for me. It was good and I did take a lot of notes but didn’t leave me with the wow that was the best feeling I was hoping for. I did appreciate the deep dive into the gospels. I definitely would still recommend it to someone looking to grow in their faith.

[Christopher Moellering · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting insights into various episodes in the Gospels, from which the author draws conclusions for us as dsiciples of the Lord. Personally, I found chapter 5 on the "sinful woman" who annointed Jesus at Simon the Pharisee's house a particularly moving chapter.

[Candice Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within the first few pages, the commentary by Merikakis spoke to the depth of my soul. Such thought, depth and love on the pages makes you strive for sainthood, to be the disciple the Lord has called us all to be.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Read mostly in 2023 but finished in 2024
-Easily one of the best spiritual books I've encountered. Surprised it isn't more wide-spread
-Excellence in stages, development, relevant Scripture, and appreciate conclusion with Mary.

[Kevin W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Highly recommend. Plus it’s free on FORMED.org

[Erin Nugent · Rating 5 out of 5]

straight fire, beautiful look into the theology/scriptural basis for discipleship/mission + the interior journey necessary

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent first half, gets a little esoteric in the middle (for me) but ends strong with a a good reflection on Mary

[EC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three things can not be hidden for long: the sun, the moon and the Truth. I don't know who said that first--probably a sage Buddhist scholar somewhere--but it is the kind of wisdom passed down from spiritual director to disciple (student). This here book from Ignatius Press focuses on stories from the New Testament and if you read between the lines you will intuitively recognize God's love & mercy. You provide the faith and He will provide everything else. xoxoxo

[Kyle McManamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and beautiful collection of reflections on the nature of discipleship visiting different vignettes from the Gospels. A new follower of Jesus or a seasoned one will find this a rich resource for insight, reflection, challenge, and comfort. The final chapter on the importance of the Virgin Mary to the life of the disciple did not make me think differently about the topic, but the rest of the book (which doesn't depend on this last selection), is very much worth your time.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a beautifully profound way to come to know and follow Jesus through contemplation on The Word through His Word in scripture. Erasma Leiva-Merikakis suggests that the way to know Jesus is to “be” with Jesus, to receive him effectively in our hearts through prayer and contemplation. He suggests six different passages of scripture to meditate on, to enter into, to “become wet clay in God’s Hands”, so He can form us into the disciple He wants us to be. I can’t recommend this book enough!

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a number of things I liked about the book which made it worth reading. The spirituality is Roman Catholic and probably best suited for that audience, but Orthodox will find some things worth contemplating.