Christian life is essentially a following of Jesus. Vatican Council II, when it speaks of the consecrated life, emphasizes in several places the fundamental aspect of the commitment of the Christian to follow Jesus. It characterizes this following of Christ as the "ultimate norm" of the consecrated person (PC 2).
It is always important to delve more deeply into certain aspects of the following of the Lord that ought to mark the life of consecration, just as it does for all Christian life.
The first aspect of the spirituality of the following of Jesus is the experience of the gratuity of God. Any reflection on the meaning of the following of Christ in the Gospels causes us find that it is the result of a freely given call from God. The theme of election is the expression of that gratuity and it is accompanied by the guarantee of his fidelity and mercy. Living the spirituality of the following as experience of the gratuity of God makes it possible to avoid self-sufficiency and discouragement. One is certain of God's presence and help so that he can shoulder the mission commended to him by God with humility and responsibility.
The spirituality of the following of Jesus is, secondly, an experience of the break with human securities. The only security must be God, opening oneself to his unfathomable ways (Is 55, 8-9; Rom 11, 32-35) and dedicating oneself to the work of the Kingdom.
In calling us to follow him, Jesus makes it abundantly clear that he chooses to establish a relationship of friendship with him. For that reason the spirituality of following tends to the experience of an ever-growing community with Christ. All the works and efforts of the follower of Jesus are fulfilled "in him". In a word, from the very beginning until the end, Christian existence is developed "in Christ" (1 Cor 15, 18-22), to the extent of being able to affirm that "I live, but not I, but Christ Jesus who lives in me" (Gal 2, 20).
The spirituality of the following is also an experience of being disciples of Jesus. The discipleship of the New Testament is best understood in the perspective of the relations between master and disciple in the rabbinical world. In this the importance of attention to the least detail of the master's teachings is stressed as also the willingness to pass them on. These teaching refer especially to the conduct of life, to what comes under the name of "wisdom". For his followers, Christ is the true Wisdom of God. In following him we come to know the truth and the truth will make us free (John 8, 32).
The following of Jesus is also an experience of forming part of a community of followers. Following is strongly marked by a sense of community. It is in the ecclesial community where, throughout history, the call to follow Jesus is received. He, in the midst of believers, ceasely repeats this action of convoking and communicating to his followers the diverse charisms for the service of the community
The call of Jesus to follow him is, at the same time, a call to the mission to give witness and to announce
the Good News, challenging the suppositions of our personal and social life with all its demands. It is, therefore, the experience of a prophetic commitment to evangelize.
In practicing in personal and community terms a discernment on our vocation and mission as consecrated
persons today, we must always keep as background and central point of reference the spirituality of the following of Jesus.

The Forum: Which of these characteristics of the spirituality of the following of Jesus do you consider to be the most urgent and necessary today for the consecrate life?  Why is that?