
Daily Reflection – 5/30/2023
Sacred Scripture
Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.” 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 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. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.” (Mark 10:28-31)
Reflection
All of us are called to give up “everything” to follow Christ in our own unique way. But what does that really mean?
By giving up everything, we are called to completely surrender our own will and preferences in life to serve Christ in accord with His divine plan.
The good news is that “giving up everything” is nothing other than giving up our own selfish ideals and preferences in life. The life He has in store for us is far better than we can dream of or imagine.
Jesus said first that when we give good things up for him — our loved ones, our material blessings and property — for him we’ll gain back much more in this life in terms of those same things. Many times, when Jesus asks us to give up something, he doesn’t intend to strip us from it but to detach us from it so that we may relate to it in a way far more united to him.
Jesus says finally that we will receive eternal life in the age to come. When we detach ourselves from possessions and persons, he makes it possible for us to do the impossible with God’s help, to have God thread us through the eye of the needle into eternity. That’s the great desire of us all, to live forever in happiness with God, and Jesus today promises that that will occur when we are willing to pay the price of the kingdom, to sell all that we have to obtain that pearl of great price.
These words of Jesus are meant to remind us that our relationship to God and our hope for eternal life do not depend on our own accomplishments or achievements. They depend only upon our ability to detach ourselves from all that detracts from him.
No earthly good or possession can rival the joy and bliss of knowing God and the peace and unity he grants to his disciples. The Lord Jesus wants to fill our hearts with the vision of the heavenly kingdom – a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).
By saying “No” to our own will and doing things our own way, we are in fact saying “Yes” to doing things in the perfect way of God. Whatever the specific calling in life may be for you, it’s worth embracing God’s will.
Let us reflect on how ready and willing you and I are to say “Yes” to Christ no matter what He asks of us. Are you willing to say “Yes” even to that which He has not yet revealed to you? Say “Yes” today to whatever your future holds, and God will bless you in abundance.
Prayer of The Day
“Lord Jesus, I want to follow you as your disciple and to love you wholeheartedly with all that I have. Fill my heart with faith, hope, and love that I may always find peace and joy in your presence.”
Daily Note
Christ makes it plain as he comes to the end of this Gospel passage that an eternal reward awaits those who sacrifice for the Kingdom. This is so affirming, so full of hope! But he also warned his disciples, and warns us now, not to become too sure of ourselves. We are not to be “first” in proclaiming how we have given up our worldly attachments; rather, we must humbly and lovingly live this detachment on earth, hopeful that our God who sees in secret (Matthew 6:4) fulfills his promise for such souls: a place at the heavenly banquet.