Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s first reading from the First Letter of St. Peter, we read about the glories which followed Jesus’ sufferings (1:11). We focused on these sufferings of Christ during Lent, and especially during Triduum, and then we celebrated the glories in the long Easter Season. Now we have begun the long march toward the end of the liturgical year, some six months, more or less, from now. But we must keep in mind during this time that we continually celebrate the glories of Christ. The Holy Spirit, whose descent we celebrated two days ago at Pentecost, brings us the manifold glories of Christ, and the Spirit does so at all times, and in all seasons.
We must enjoy the glories of Christ, and we must bring them to others. In order to enjoy these glories, we must follow St. Peter’s guidance and live soberly, placing our hope on God’s grace, acting as Christians, not as our former selves (1 Peter 1:13-14). We must grow in holiness so that we may become holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16).
In today’s Gospel reading from St. Mark’s Gospel, we again read St. Peter. But this St. Peter whom we encounter is the St. Peter prior to Jesus’ resurrection, who is impetuous and frightened. He has not yet been strengthened by Christ and by the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ resurrection, when he emerges as the bold leader of the early Church, as its first pope.
In today’s reading from St. Mark’s Gospel, St. Peter tells Jesus that they, the apostles, have left everything to follow Jesus. The implication is an unasked question about what they will get in return for following Jesus. The broader context is about salvation. Jesus has just explained to them how difficult it is to be saved. Thus the comment St. Peter begins today’s Gospel reading with is a response to Jesus’ statement. Jesus’ response should bring us great comfort, if we, like St. Peter and the early apostles, have given up everything to follow Jesus. Indeed, we will receive the glories of Christ. Notice that Jesus is not just speaking about heaven, but this present age (Mark 10:30). These glories of Christ come to us especially in the Sacraments, which are for this present age. In the here and the now the Sacraments are visible tangible signs of the invisible supernatural realities they communicate to us. In the age to come, when we who have followed Christ, even at great loss, enter eternal life, we will have those same supernatural realities, those same glories, without the signs.
For those of us who have not left all to follow Jesus, we should pay close attention to Jesus’ words. We must leave all and follow Christ. This does not mean, necessarily, that we have to leave our present state, but it does mean we need to give ourselves more and more in the little things of everyday life. We need to recapture a sense of doing all things for the glory of God. For some of us this might mean following a vocation we have but have been unwilling to follow precisely because of the sacrifices involved. For all of us it means we need to dedicate all we do to love of God and love of neighbor. We will enjoy the glories of Christ if we give ourselves in loving service to others for God. Let’s try to live out our faith with more love, especially in the numerous little things of everyday life, in our responsibilities around the house, with family and friends, at work, and as Christians in the world. In that way we can learn to love as Jesus loved, becoming holy as He is holy.
- Jeff Morrow