Gospel Reading: Mk 10:28-31
Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
WE HAVE GIVEN UP EVERYTHINGAND FOLLOWED YOU
In reaction to Jesus’ instruction on who can enter the Kingdom of God, Peter reminds him that they have given up everything to follow him. Like the rich man in yesterday’s Gospel, Peter expects to be rewarded with eternal life.
The difference is that Peter has given up everything and followed Jesus.
Giving up everything to follow Jesus has its own rewards, more than we can ever expect. These are not only the abundant blessings in the present age but also eternal life in the age to come. God cannot be outdone in generosity.
But one should have the right motivation in following Jesus; it should be for Jesus’ sake and for the Gospel.
Jesus makes it clear that Christian life, when lived fully according to the Gospel, also includes persecutions. The cross is inevitable when we follow Christ. However, the cross is not the last word. There is the resurrection.
“God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7).
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
