Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: May 28, 2024

Date:   Tuesday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  Mark 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus, "We have given up everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

 The gospel text for today from the evangelist Mark occurs immediately after Jesus’ encounter with the rich young man. It shows us the disciples first response after hearing how hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God. Peter speaks for the disciples following Jesus. What of those who have given up everything to follow Jesus? Jesus’ answer assures them that anyone who pays the price of discipleship will be rewarded. But then Jesus ends with “But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.” Jesus thus reminds them earthly prosperity and prestige will not bring heavenly reward, rather selfless service for love of the LORD and others will.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Where am I in line? What do I need to change as Christ’s disciple?

Praying:

LORD, Your ways are not our ways. Though it is only because of You that we exist and it is only from You that life begins, I struggle at times with who I am created to be and who the world tries to make me. Send your Spirit to fill my mind and heart with your transformative love and with the courage to embrace the person You created me to be. Grant that I may set down the earthly desires of prosperity and prestige so that I might pick up in their stead genuine humility and the grace to seek your will and open myself to your loving presence. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.