To the Ends of the Earth: Action – Week 9, Day 3 – What Some Dismiss and Despise, We Wear as a Garment of Praise
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Then Peter said in reply, “Behold, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first.”
Matthew 19:27–30
The Twelve Apostles gave up their homes, their livelihood, and their safe, normal lives to follow Jesus. Jesus promised them unimaginable riches in the kingdom to come, and he makes that same promise to all who give up their lives to follow him. While we live on this earth, it may sometimes appear that we are not benefiting from our faith, but this is really what faith is all about. Christ gives us a peace that is greater than any possession or position, a peace that we experience even now on earth. Moreover, we look forward to the eternal joy that awaits us in heaven.
There is no comparison between earthly pleasures and heavenly joys, our position in this life and our position in the life to come. We could store up for ourselves an abundance of wealth, but in the end, when our life is demanded of us, it will all mean nothing (see Lk 12:16–21). Our highest calling is to take our lives and lay them down before the throne of heaven
— a testimony that will draw others into the kingdom. We are called to seek first that kingdom and all we desire will be ours (Mt 6:33). When we put Our Lord before all things, we gain the greatest gift of all: an inheritance that we can pass onto others in the name of Jesus.
Questions for reflection
Do you ever find yourself comparing the costs when it comes to following Christ? Do you believe that the eternal happiness of heaven is worth any price?
What costs have you paid as a Catholic, and have those costs been worth it?
How can you accompany a brother who is struggling with the demands of faith right now?
Praying with Scripture
“For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?” (Mt 16:26)
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Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
