Dear Sisters and Brothers, Peace and Love of Christ be with
you!
Yesterday, we saw a man
running to Jesus with enthusiasm, seeking the path to eternal life. He asked
the right question, but when confronted with the radical call of discipleship,
he walked away sad. Despite Jesus' gaze of love, his attachment to wealth prevented
him from fully embracing the Kingdom.
Today, we find Peter
voicing a concern that likely lingers in the hearts of many disciples: “Lord,
we have left everything to follow you.” There is an implicit question
behind Peter’s statement: "What about us?” He sees what happened to
the rich man and wonders: Is it worth it? Will we receive anything in return?
Is our sacrifice recognized by God?
The Promise of the
Hundredfold
Jesus does not rebuke
Peter. Instead, He responds with a powerful and reassuring promise:
“There is no one who has
left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for
my sake and for 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 in the age to come, eternal life.”
Here, Jesus unveils a
profound truth: Whatever we give up for Him, He will multiply in abundance! The
Kingdom of God does not operate on loss but on divine increase.
Yes, following Jesus may
mean leaving behind comforts, relationships, or security. But in return, we are
welcomed into a new, larger family, the Church, the Body of Christ. We gain
brothers and sisters in faith, spiritual homes in every corner of the world,
and an inheritance that is beyond anything the world can offer. This is the
paradox of the Gospel: in giving, we receive; in losing, we gain.
Persecution and the Way
of the Cross
However, Jesus is also
honest. His promise comes with persecutions. This is not an easy path.
The world may not understand our commitment to Christ. We may face opposition,
ridicule, and even suffering. But in these trials, Jesus assures us that we are
not alone. He walks with us, and His grace sustains us.
The Great Reversal: The
First and the Last
Jesus concludes with a striking statement: “But many who
are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
This is the divine
reversal of the Kingdom of God. The world measures greatness by power, wealth,
and prestige. But in God's eyes, true greatness is found in humility,
sacrifice, and love. Those who seem insignificant in the world’s eyes, the
poor, the selfless, the faithful servants, will be exalted. And those who cling
to their earthly status may find themselves last in God’s Kingdom.
What
Does This Mean for Us Today? : Discipleship is a
Response of Trust. Like Peter, we may wonder if our sacrifices are worth it.
But Jesus reminds us: God is no one’s debtor! Whatever we surrender for
the sake of the Gospel will be returned to us in ways beyond our imagination.
We
Belong to a New Family: As disciples, we are never truly
alone. In Christ, we gain a global family of faith. We find brothers and
sisters in Christ who support, encourage, and journey with us toward eternity.
Perseverance
in Trials : The Christian path is not without challenges. But our
sufferings are not in vain. Jesus Himself endured rejection and suffering
before His resurrection. If we stay faithful, we will share in His victory.
The
Last Will Be First: Let us not seek worldly recognition. True greatness lies
in humble service, in putting Christ and His Kingdom above all else. What seems
like loss in this life is an investment in eternity.
A Call
to Radical Faith : Peter's question is our question: Is it worth following
Jesus? And Jesus' answer is our hope: Yes! Infinitely more than we can
imagine.
Let us, therefore, renew
our commitment to Christ today. Let us not hesitate to give all for Him,
knowing that He sees, He knows, and He rewards beyond measure. If we have Him,
we lack nothing, for in Him, we have already received the hundredfold and the
promise of eternal life.
Lord, give us the grace to follow You wholeheartedly,
trusting in Your promises and persevering in faith until the end. Amen.🙏🙏🙏
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