In the realm where the Divine does reign,
Humility and service are the gain.
Not power, not status, not worldly acclaim,
But love and grace in His holy name.
No promise of life without pain or test,
In following Jesus, we give our best.
Comfort, possessions, ties that bind,
We may leave these all behind.
Sacrifices made, in faith, not in vain,
For the Kingdom of God, we bear the strain.
In the gospel's cause, we find our role,
His love inscribed on every soul.
Blessings abound in this life we're in,
And eternal life is the ultimate win.
For those who for His sake have strived,
In the age to come, they'll be revived.
REFLECTION:
"But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.” (Mark 10:31)
God’s Kingdom operates on principles of humility and service, rather than power and status. Jesus does not guarantee a life free from hardship or suffering. Following Jesus may involve giving up comfort, relationships, or material possessions. Sacrifices are often required in our journey of faith but our sacrifices for the Kingdom of God are not in vain. Those who sacrifice for His sake and the gospel will receive blessings in this life and eternal life in the age to come.
Dear Lord Jesus,
In Your Kingdom, humility and service reign, not power, not status, not worldly gain. You've shown us that life may not be free from strife, but in following You, we find true life.
We understand that comfort, relationships, and possessions, may be given up in our faith's progressions. Sacrifices are often required in our journey of faith, help us remember, they're not in vain, but a wraith.
For the Kingdom of God, we willingly sacrifice, knowing that these offerings will suffice. Those who give for Your sake and the gospel's call,
Will receive blessings in this life and beyond all.
We trust in Your promise of eternal life to come, a reward for those who have faithfully run. Help us, Lord, to live by Your grace, and one day see You face to face.
In Your Holy Name, we pray,
Amen.
Pericope:
IV: The Full Revelation of the Mystery
THE RICH MAN
Mark 10:17-31
Gospel | Mark 10:28-31
Gospel Acclamation
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
28 Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.” 29 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 30 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. 31 But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Background:
The background of Mark 10:28-31 is rooted in the context of the apostle Mark’s gospel. Here’s a brief overview:
Author and Date: The Gospel of Mark is traditionally attributed to John Mark, a companion of Peter. The exact date of its composition is unknown.
Recipients: The Gospel of Mark was likely written for a Roman audience, as it often explains Jewish customs and Aramaic terms.
Purpose: Mark’s Gospel presents Jesus as the suffering servant of the Lord. It emphasizes Jesus’ actions more than His teaching, highlighting His miracles as clear indicators of His divine Sonship.
Now, focusing on the specific verses Mark 10:28-31, these verses discuss the rewards of discipleship. Peter began to say to Jesus, "Look, we have left everything and followed you." Jesus assures Peter and the other disciples that anyone who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or fields for His sake and for the sake of the good news, will receive a hundredfold now in this age. However, it will include some suffering. In the age to come, they will receive eternal life. Jesus concludes by saying, "But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first."
These verses underscore the sacrifices made for the sake of following Jesus and the promise of eternal rewards. It also emphasizes the reversal of worldly values in the Kingdom of God, where the last will be first.
Learning Lessons:
Mark 10:28-31 offers several important lessons for believers:
Sacrifice for the Gospel: Peter’s statement about leaving everything to follow Jesus highlights the sacrifices that are often required in the journey of faith. This teaches us that following Jesus may involve giving up comfort, relationships, or material possessions.
Rewards of Discipleship: Jesus assures His disciples that those who sacrifice for His sake and the gospel will receive blessings in this life and eternal life in the age to come. This underscores the concept of divine reward, reminding us that our sacrifices for the Kingdom of God are not in vain.
Suffering in this Life: Jesus mentions that the rewards in this life will come with persecutions. This is a sobering reminder that following Jesus does not guarantee a life free from hardship or suffering.
The Last Will Be First: Jesus’ statement that “many who are first will be last, and the last will be first” challenges worldly values and social hierarchies. It teaches us that God’s Kingdom operates on principles of humility and service, rather than power and status.
These lessons encourage us to be willing to make sacrifices for our faith, to trust in God’s promise of eternal rewards, to be prepared for suffering, and to embrace humility and service. (Conversation with Copilot)