Today's Reflections
Mk 10:28-31
28Peter began to say to [Jesus], “We have given up everything and followed you.” 29Jesus
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 30who 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. 31But many that are first will be last, and [the] last will be first.”
Reflection:
A hundred times more.
After hearing Jesus say how hard it is for those who have wealth to
enter the kingdom of God, Peter asks what is in store for them who have
followed him. Jesus assures them of a hundredfold reward. A hundred
times or a hundredfold means a rich harvest, the fullness of God’s
blessing (cf Gn 26:12 and 2 Sm 24:3). God takes good care of God’s own
and cannot be outdone in generosity. God returns a hundred times more
what we have graciously given up for God.
God will bless us in this world, yes,
but Jesus does not call us to earn material rewards. He calls us to
receive the blessings of eternal life.
Along with the hundredfold, however,
come persecutions. We see here Jesus’ honesty. He does not promise a
rose garden or an easy life. He tells his disciples that to follow him
is a costly affair. We have to work for him, serve his flock, and
fulfill the demands of the gospel. We have to live his life and tread
his footsteps. His mention of persecutions reminds us that we stand and
strive beneath the shadow of his cross. This means that there will be no
eternal reward without carrying his cross and without sharing in his
suffering. As we join Jesus in his passion, so will we share in his
glory.
What do you have to give upso that you can follow Jesus faithfully?
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