A reading from the gospel according to Mark 10:28-31
28 Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.”
29 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
30 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.
31 But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Reflection: Reward for Following Jesus
The gospel reading above follows immediately the passage about the rich man who cannot follow Jesus because of his wealth. Jesus then said it is difficult for a rich to enter the kingdom of God. This is in contrast to the apostles who have left everything to follow Him. Jesus then made the promise that anyone who gave up possessions and even family will receive a reward that is a hundred times more. More importantly, they will get eternal life in the age to come.
Many people like Peter’s honesty in letting Jesus know of his feelings and questions. He and his companions left everything to follow the Lord, so what is in store for them? It is a poignant question that becomes also our question. Why do we follow Jesus only to be met with opposition and persecution? What is our reward? Jesus has an answer and perhaps with a smile, He will say, “Come on my child, you will not follow me for nothing. I will reward you for more than you can ever imagine!”
Indeed, God is generous and He fulfills His promises. Our reward may not be in terms of material things but the hope, the joy and peace of mind that He gives us are priceless. Let us continue to trust in Him and eternal life will be ours.
Excellent Brother Joseph-Anthony, a perfect motto as I see it and one that would not fail anyone who follows it! “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” is the foundation of our Lord’s teachings for our seeking salvation, I do believe! We can’t be as in heaven while here but if our hearts are striving to be just that, “being in the world but not of the world,” then we are surely in tune with the Holy Spirit that dwells in us which will most assuredly keep us on the right path and bring us to the narrow gate unto heaven! That which we want and seek through our deepest hearts the most while living here is what we are devoted to and we shouldn’t want anything more than eternal life with our heavenly Father; who does and will provide all good things! Amen.
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.”1 John 2:15
“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John17:15-21
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:1–2
Thank you!
God bless you and yours!
Brother in Christ Jesus,
Lawrence
He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out (Heb 11:6)
Yes, I do agree. Thanks a lot for sharing your insight.