FIRST READING
They prophesied the grace that was to be yours, so be sober set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you.
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Peter (1 Peter 1:10 – 16)
Beloved: The prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired about the salvation of souls; they inquired what person or time was indicated by the Spirit of Christ within them when predicting the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things which have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
The word of the Lord
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 98: I, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 (R. 2a)
R/. The Lord has made known his salvation.
O sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has worked wonders.
His right hand and his holy arm
have brought salvation. R/.
The Lord has made known his salvation,
has shown his deliverance to the nations.
He has remembered his merciful love
and his truth for the house of Israel. R/.
R/. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth
have seen the salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song,
and sing out your praise. R/.
ALLELUIA Matthew 11:25
Alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia
GOSPEL
You will receive a hundredfold now in this time with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 10:28-31)
At that time: Peter began to say to Jesus, “Behold, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you; there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
Peter’s concern is genuine and humanly understandable. Following Jesus’ call, the disciples have left behind everything that is considered desirable in life: family, profession, friends, wealth and fame, etc. Jesus’ response can easily be misconstrued and misinterpreted from a materialistic perspective. So called “men and women of God” who proclaim the “prosperity gospel” and display their “wealth” are evidence of this view. But the focus is not on what we are to gain here and now. The radical discipleship demanded by Jesus involves sacrifice (“we have left everything”) life in union with God cannot be understood and lived in terms of commerce. We cannot bargain with God. God’s gifts are free. Jesus’ response serves to reassure peter and the other disciples that no sacrifice is too much for God, and no reward is impossible to God.