Readings: Sir. 35:1-12; Ps.50; Mark 10:28-31
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
THE REALITY OF LEAVING EVERYTHING TO FOLLOW THE LORD
There is no doubt that the things of this world can be very captivating. The more you are attached to them, the more they consume you. We find it difficult to let go of them or know when we should be detached from them. That is why today, many people are consumed by them since they can not find any reason why they should let go of them. For we see how people can go to any length to acquire properties, treasures, fame, influence and power that will last from the fourth to their tenth generation, without thinking of that which will lead to life eternal.
This is exactly the mindset of most people today, and this is not different from the disposition of some of the disciples of Jesus. Little wonder Peter in our Gospel passage today, asked Jesus a very important question about sacrificing everything for the sake of following him.
So, in response, Jesus draws his attention to the fundamental principle of our human existence, when he said to him: ‘I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not be repaid a hundred times over, not without persecutions now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life.
Here, Jesus is calling us to a life of detachment from material things of this passing world. He is reassuring us that all those who have given everything committed their time and efforts, and are making sacrifices for the sake of his kingdom would not be disappointed nor left without rewards.
Their reward in the end will be truly great, for God remembers those who love him and have given up themselves for his sake. He will guide them and remain with them throughout their journey no matter how tough it may be. Hence, we heard in our first reading that a virtuous man’s sacrifice is acceptable, and its memorial will not be forgotten, for the Lord is a good rewarder; he will reward him seven times over.
Dear friends, today Jesus addressed the very thing that most people are not ready to give up. Those things such as money, houses, credentials, love of power, pride and wealth, beauty and fame. But, if we are honest enough, we will admit that we all have some things we would be very slow to let go of if Jesus should make the demand of them. Those things we so much attached ourselves with and would not like God to ask us to give them up for the sake of following him.
But the fact remains that, one day we will surely leave everything and go. I mean everything even our greaves. We will surely leave our house, our properties, treasures, fame, influence and power, our wealth and money. We will surely leave our relationships, friends, our job, our habits and attitudes. We will leave our wives, husbands, children, fathers, mothers and families; we will even leave our life, our beauty, handsomeness and everything we so much attached ourselves to. Then we will realize that following God is the ultimate treasure that we need.
So, whatever we possess that will separate us from our mission of following Jesus and loving our neighbours, today we are called to give them up and come follow the Lord because in leaving them for the sake of the mission, we actually gain all in abundance.
LET US PRAY, Heavenly Father, we are so much attached to things of this passing world, help us to know that excess attachment to our earthly possessions could be an obstacle on our way to your Kingdom. Give us the grace to let go of things that often separate us from you as we learn to share with our neighbours especially the poor. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen Have a fruitful day.
No comments:
Post a Comment