Read 1 Peter 1:10-16, Ps. 98:1-4, Mark 10:28-31
“I say to you, 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 hundredfold.” (Mark 10:29-30)
The essence of discipleship is detachment. Peter said to Jesus: “We have left everything and followed you.” To be attached to God, one must be detached from love of material riches. Unlike the rich young man who walked away sad, the true disciple is one who seeks God first; one who totally relies on God for security.
In today’s first reading, St. Peter himself describes the true disciple as one who is committed to personal holiness; one who is not conformed to the passions of his former ignorance. The true disciple does not engage in any form of competition or bragging over material possessions.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught: “Happy are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mathew 5:3). In Luke’s translation, we hear Jesus saying: “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20). Being poor is not necessarily the state of lacking the goods of the world but the condition of not being attached to material possessions.
The psalmist says: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.’ For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings, you will find refuge.” (Psalm 91:1-4).
Jesus assures us: “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 hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions and in the age to come, eternal life.” (Mark 10:29-30).
Aspire for sainthood. Place your trust in God. Be detached from worldly goods. God surely knows how to take care of his own. “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek all these things; your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. (Matthew 6:31-33)
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give me the wisdom to re-order my priorities, to work not only for worldly wealth but more importantly for eternal life. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Tuesday of week 8 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Peter 1:10-16, Ps. 98:1-4, Mark 10:28-31).