Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
CAN WE SACRIFICE EVERYTHING FOR THE SAKE OF FOLLOWING THE LORD?
In our world today, people can go to great lengths to acquire properties, treasures, fame, influence, and power, just to secure their future and that of their tenth generation. But we hardly take time to prepare for our spiritual life or sacrifice for the sake of our souls about the Kingdom of God.
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 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 reassuring us that all those who have given everything, committed their time and efforts, and are making sacrifices for the sake of his kingdom, will 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 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 St. Peter in our first reading saying: Put your trust in nothing but the grace that will be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. Do not behave in the way that you liked before you learnt the truth; rather, make a habit of obedience: be holy in all you do, since it is the Holy One who has called you, and scripture says: Be holy, for I am holy.
Dear friends, what would be the most difficult thing for us to give up if Jesus were to ask us to do so? Those things we are so attached to and would not like God to ask us to give up for the sake of following him. Will you let go of things such as money, houses, credentials, love of power, pride and wealth or our relationship, our job, our habits and attitudes? These will be extremely difficult because we are living in a world of materialism and egoism.
But the Lord is asking us to leave them and follow him for we will surely be rewarded for sacrificing them for the sake of his mission. Also, 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 Jesus, we gain all in abundance.
LET US PRAY, Lord God, we are distracted by the things of this passing world. Through the intercession of St St. Philip Neri, give us the grace to let go of things that often separate us from your Mission and the obstacles on our way to your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful day.
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