8TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 4 / (Green)
Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
The Lord has made known his salvation.
1st Reading: 1 P 1:10-16
This was the salvation for which the prophets so eagerly looked when, in days past, they foretold the favor of God, with regard to you. But they could only investigate when, the Spirit of Christ present within them, pointed out the time and the circumstances, of this — the sufferings of Christ, and the glories which would follow. It was revealed to them that they were working, not for themselves, but for you. Thus, in these days, after the Holy Spirit has been sent from heaven, the gospel’s preachers have taught you these mysteries, which even the angels long to see.
So, then, let your spirit be ready. Be alert, with confident trust, in the grace you will receive, when Jesus Christ appears. Like obedient children, do not return to your former life, given over to ignorance and passions. Imitate the one who called you. As he is holy, so you, too, be holy, in all your conduct, since Scripture says: Be holy for I am holy.
Gospel: Mk 10:28-31
Peter spoke up and said, “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 the first will be last, and the last, first.”
Reflections
We have given up everything to follow you
To follow Jesus is painful because it involves many levels of “leaving behind” — family and friends, the familiar and secure, emotional baggage and unresolved angers, a certain control over one’s surroundings and one’s future. To follow Jesus thus entails multiple ways of dying to oneself.
Nonetheless, to my surprise, whenever the Lord calls me to give up something, he offers me something better. Whenever the Lord bids me to go some place, I do not lose friends but gain innumerable new ones. What the Lord asks of us is nothing compared to what he offers us in return.
Daily Reflection 2018
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
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