Gospel 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.”
Reflection:
In yesterday’s gospel the man with many possessions asked Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life. Our Lord answered, “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
The man with many possessions could not part with them because he took his sense of self-worth from his treasures. He saw giving up his possesses as a sacrifice he must make to receive somethings in return. But, sadly, he loved his possessions more than eternal life itself.
Today, Peter says to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.”
Peter saw things differently. He was able to willingly offer up all he possessed out of his love for Jesus.
When we love someone, we do not consider it a sacrifice to put them ahead of ourselves.
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…”
Jesus does not bribe us to give up what we have in order to receive the reward of heaven.
Instead, he makes it clear that if we give what we have out of love for others, then we will receive the reward of being treated lovingly in return.
“But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Those who hoard their possessions on this earth may appear well off. But, those who share on this earth will surely be well off in heaven.
“When you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received, only that which you have given.” – – Unknown