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Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
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March 1, 2022INVITATION?
"We Have Given Up Everything to Follow You.”
These words of Peter to Jesus conclude the section of Mark’s gospel (10:28-31) that deals with Jesus’ encounter with the rich young man. Peter and his companions are a bit unnerved by what they have just witnessed and wonder about their own fate. What is in all of this for them? What’s in store? What will be their recompense? Have they done enough to merit a reward?
In Mark’s account, Jesus promises that they will receive a hundredfold in terms of what they have given up, in this present age and in the age to come.
This verse and words of Jesus occasioned me dusting off my copy of The Jerome Biblical Commentary. To the best of my limited knowledge, this is the ‘final word’ regarding biblical commentaries. With respect to this particular verse, the JBC says, “Three difficulties complicate these verses…” It goes on to suggest that these words were added by the early Church and did not come from the mouth of Jesus. With this, I conclude my excursion down into this rabbit hole.
My reflection on this passage (vs. a biblical exegesis of it) is that it offers us an opportunity to examine and perhaps refine a little our motivations regarding our response to the call of Jesus to each of us to follow Him.
Peter is an excellent representative for most (all?) of us. Honest, blunt: what’s in it for me? This transactional mentality comes totally naturally to all of us. Our world is a meritocracy of rewards and punishments.
I have come to think that Jesus ultimately is not about ‘bribing’ us or promising us a ‘payoff’. Close friends don’t deal with each other that way. They instinctively share with one another what they have found to be of great value.
He has shown us the Way and asks us to trust that He is telling us the Truth. The journey of the Way will entail carrying crosses but the final destination is Eternal Life.
It’s a very personal invitation to follow and to trust.
HINT: Love of God and Neighbor assure that we’re pointed in the right direction.
