Are You a Follower or Just an Admirer of Jesus?

Fr. Robert Kosek, CRSP, distinguishes between being a follower of Jesus and merely an admirer by examining the level of personal commitment to His teachings. According to Kosek, admirers may respect Jesus and His message but step back when His teachings cause difficulty or require personal sacrifice.

Kosek notes that an admirer might avoid mortal sin but still prioritize daily comfort over generosity, or maintain outward order while remaining spiritually cold and distracted. He suggests that these individuals may become "check-the-box Catholics" who attend Mass and pray during hardships but avoid the life-changing commitment required of a true follower.

The distinction is illustrated by the Bread of Life Discourse in the Gospel of John, where many disciples stopped following Jesus because of His words. Kosek explains that Jesus did not soften His message to retain these people, as He seeks committed followers rather than those who simply admire Him from a distance.