Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
A HUNDREDFOLD REWARD
“Honor the Lord with generosity… Add a smiling face to all your gifts” says the first reading. The advice of Ben Sirach is for honest persons to thank God by offering sacrifices, but God will not accept sacrifices from dishonest people, for he accepts no bribes.
What about those who give up everything for the sake of the kingdom of heaven? They will not only “inherit heaven” but find happiness on earth in the freedom from worries about losing material goods and the inner freedom of belonging to all, in the joy of winning many brothers and sisters in the community. And curiously enough but realistically, Mark adds that they will retain their happiness and reward even in the contradictions and persecutions they encounter in their endeavors for the kingdom. One must remain free and poor within oneself.
Reading 1:Sir 35:1-12
To keep the law is a great oblation,
and he who observes the
commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
In works of charity one offers fine flour,
and when he gives alms he presents his sacrifice of praise.
To refrain from evil pleases the LORD,
and to avoid injustice is an atonement.
Appear not before the LORD empty-handed,
for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts.
The just one’s offering enriches the altar
and rises as a sweet odor before the Most High.
The just one’s sacrifice is most pleasing,
nor will it ever be forgotten.
In a generous spirit pay homage to the LORD,
be not sparing of freewill gifts.
With each contribution show a cheerful countenance,
and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.
Give to the Most High as he has given to you,
generously, according to your means.
For the LORD is one who always repays,
and he will give back to you sevenfold.
But offer no bribes, these he does not accept!
Trust not in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion.
For he is a God of justice,
who knows no favorites.
Gospel: Mk 10:28-31
Peter tried another angle: “We left everything and followed you.”
29-31 Jesus said, “Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out. They’ll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first.”
Prayer
Lord our God,
we hold you to your promise
to those who have left everything
for the sake of your kingdom
and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, your Son.
Let them be men and women
poor in the things that count on this earth,
but rich with your love and your grace
and with a wealth of friends
to whom they can bring
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Reflection:
30 May 2023
Mark 10: 28-31
Take part in God’s “Hundredfold.”
Jesus addressed the disciples to escape the dangers of being corrupted by the devil of wealth and riches. People are frightened of being possessed by the devil. Material wealth is one of the ways the devil can possess humans.
In this context, in today’s gospel, Peter says, “Look at us; we left everything and followed you.” As always, Mark uses Peter’s voice to represent the group of disciples who gave up their families and trade to be with the master. But, Mark, in the following chapters, would tell us that Peter and his companions had not really left behind all their attachments – their own self-reliance or their need for prestige and position.
Claretian Father Paulson Veliyanoor, in his reflections on the passage, says, “There were far more important but subtle attachments they had not yet given up. Almost immediately after Peter’s declaration, James and John make a selfish request: “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” They gave up material possessions alright, but the attachment to honourable positions had not left them.
Jesus mentions several things and people that should be left behind for the cause of the Kingdom. He also gives a list of things and people that a disciple would receive a hundredfold. The list includes brothers and sisters, mothers and children – but curiously, there is no mention of fathers. In God’s Kingdom, all are children, and we have only one Father – God.
Mark obviously had in mind the situation of his community of disciples in Rome. The experience of unity, affection and mutual commitment within the community of disciples would be immeasurably more bonding than the natural family ties. The promise of a hundredfold is the result of leaving all for the sake of Jesus and for the sake of his gospel.
Today’s gospel calls on us for a conversion of heart and a radical change in our relationships. This is where we share in the “enough” and the “hundredfold” God has given us. In this plan of God, no one is greater or smaller than others because we all share the same image of God.