Word to the Wise
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 - Tuesday in the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Pet 1:10-16 and Mark 10:28-31]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 of 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." [Mark]
Peter's question comes on the heels of Jesus' encounter with the rich man who asked what he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus told the man to sell his possessions, give the proceeds to the poor and then follow him [Jesus]. Jesus then reflected on the dangers of wealth, which amazes the disciples who considered wealth to be a great blessing. Peter makes his declaration, which is more a question, [cf. Matt. 19:27 "What will there be for us?"], "We have given up everything and followed you!" Jesus responds with the "hundredfold" assurance.
The hundredfold benefit would not mean "ownership" but what the disciples may expect from being part of a believing community. Persecution would be a part of it. The evangelist is basically pointing to what was already happening in the Christian community.
The questions from the rich man and from Peter are still with us. Our social, political and cultural environment emphasizes ownership of various resources. These are our "security." But Jesus tells us that "security" may keep us from following him. The response, "What's in it for me?" may also be a reflection of the obstacles. When I held the position of Novicemaster for my Dominican province, I once asked one of the novices what he "missed" most from his life before entering the novitiate. He responded, "My paycheck!" The "paycheck" from Jesus is not the one our society emphasizes. Can we accept it? AMEN