come, follow me

To be a Christian is to know and to follow Jesus.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊ 

　1Peter 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.

 

Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊  

Mark 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 first will be last, and the last, first.”

 Gospel Reflection：

Everything?

“We have given up everything to follow you.” Peter might have been pretty sincere in making this declaration. After all, didn’t they leave behind their families and professions to spend their lives with Jesus?

However, there were far more important but subtle attachments they had not yet given up. Ironically almost immediately after Peter’s declaration, we have the selfish request from James and John: “”Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”

They gave up material possessions alright, but the attachment to positions and honors had not left them. The worse was to come: at the moment of Christ’s Passion, all disciples, without exception, would abandon him, with Peter topping it with the triple denials.

Today might be a good moment to examine sincerely our own subtle and gross attachments that prevent us from a total fall into God’s hands – after all, we cannot fall in instalments.