First Reading - 1 Peter 1:10-16
Gospel - Mark 10:28-31
In the first reading, Peter reminds the Christians of the great gift they have received in Jesus. He further highlights that the promise of grace had been prophesied by the prophets who appraised people of this grace, but this grace has now been unfolded in Jesus Christ. This mighty grace was a distant sight for the prophets and for those they prophesied to, but it has become a reality of our present time in the person of Jesus. He exalts the privilege of Christians, which even angels long to witness yet are prevented. Peter also exhorts the Christians to value and cherish the grace they have received in Jesus by their faith in him. Furthermore, he encourages them to nurture this grace by living a holy life and shunning their past life.
The gospel passage reminds us of another gift that God bestows on every follower who has renounced everything to follow Jesus. The theme of renunciation continues with the question of Peter on the renunciation they themselves have made. Certainly, the reaction of Jesus after the rich man turned down his invitation to renounce and follow him meets a harsh reply for those attached to the wealth of the world. This stirs up his disciples. Peter's question, "What about us?" which also may mean 'what shall we get,' expresses real anxiety on behalf of the disciples. Jesus unpacks a bumper prize for discipleship: a hundred times everything that is renounced with persecution (this refers to the suffering Christians endure) and eternal life.
Dear friends, God bestows on us a series of graces: the gift of faith in Jesus through the Holy Spirit as Catholics, and the gift of salvation as the result of our faith in Jesus and the life of renunciation, which also implies embracing Jesus as our possession rather than worldly or material possessions. The gift that Peter mentions is about the gift of faith in Jesus which makes us his followers. Peter highlights in the first reading that we have to preserve the grace or gift we have received by understanding its value and saying goodbye to our past life, which also implies our sinful past. This points to the life of renunciation of the sinful past to remain in faith lest we lose it. The gospel also points to the gifts that ensue from a life of renunciation for the sake of the gospel and Jesus: the gift of salvation for the future. However, Jesus makes it clear that to remain his followers means being able to detach ourselves from earthly possessions and not allowing worldly values to govern our lives and make us their slaves. If we are ready to do so, God will bestow on us the great gift of salvation.
Let's pray that we may remain steadfast in faith and imbibe the virtue of detachment.
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