Tuesday’s gospel –
We have the opportunity to reflect on what it means to be a follower of Christ.
We have just seen the rich young man go away disappointed because he cannot achieve eternal life and the apostles must have thought long and hard about this. How could such an eminently good man be sent away from Jesus like that and what would it mean for them: those who struggled with the understanding of Jesus and came from a diverse set of backgrounds.
So we see Peter, as the spokesman for the apostles, ask Jesus what their destiny will be. And his reward is one of the most inspiring quotes from Jesus about the consolation that comes from following the will of God. For God is fair and just and will not let down those who follow the call that he asks of them through the grace of Christ.
So Peter is told that all of the sacrifices made in this world when there might be luxury and comfort possible, all the suffering when an easy life could be had, the separation from family (remember: so much more highly valued than it is now), all the persecutions are worth it for the reward is eternal life.
So we have a choice. Do we follow Christ or do we live in the way that the world would expect us to. It is a hard choice, there are many occasions where our call to follow Christ seems blocked by the law of the land or conventions of society. But isn’t that just the moment when we need to be seen as followers of Christ? But at the same time it is essential that we follow Christ in the small things too.
So do we pray at meal times, do we pray and give thanks to God at the end of the day… do we pray at all? Do we give alms to help those in need around us in respect of both our time and resources? Do we embrace our faith in a way that we would want to talk to others about it, or attend Mass more than just every Sunday? Do we sacrifice our own pleasures for the good of our souls putting things before God as a sign of our love for him?
Let’s re-commit to Christ, let us put God first and then let us place our trust in him that our sacrifice can be repaid a hundred times over.
Gospel Mark 10:28-31 ©
‘What about us?’ Peter asked Jesus. ‘We have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not be repaid a hundred times over, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land – not without persecutions – now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life.
‘Many who are first will be last, and the last first.’