Tuesday, May 24, 2005
8th Week in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: Sir 35:1-12
Gospel: Mark 10:28-31

Peter spoke up and said to Jesus, "We have given up everything to follow you." Jesus answered, "Truly, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters, or father or mother, or children, or lands for my sake and for the Gospel, who will not receive his reward. I say to you: even in the midst of persecution he will receive a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and lands in the present time and in the world to come eternal life. Do pay attention: Many who now are first will be last, and the last, first."

Commentary

THE disciples have just watched the thirteenth disciple (perhaps) walk away and they are disturbed-how hard is it to get into the kingdom? Nothing is impossible with God is Jesus' statement-even those with wealth can let go, escape its stranglehold and share with the poor that need it. But Peter is quick to find out what's in it for him and the others and exaggerates mightily saying that they have given up everything for Jesus. (We always think we have been so generous and inflate what we have done for God) and Jesus still assures them (and us) that we will be given one hundred fold, even in persecution-mothers, sisters and brothers, houses, (community of disciples, friends of God), children, lands-missions and a place in the kingdom here welcomed by total strangers who will care for us and life everlasting-tastes of it even here and now. God is not to be outdone by any of our small gestures of giving-we haven't even begun to learn of God or learn to share with those in need.

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