"Indeed, many that are first will be last, the last will be first." (Mk 10:31)
READING OF THE DAY
A reading from the Letter of Peter
1 Pt 1:10-16
Beloved:
Concerning the salvation of your souls
the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours
searched and investigated it
investigating the time and circumstances
that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated
when it testified in advance
to the sufferings destined for Christ
and the glories to follow them.
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you
with regard to the things that have now been announced to you
by those who preached the Good News to you
through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven,
things into which angels longed to look.
Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly,
and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Like obedient children,
do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance
but, as he who called you is holy,
be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct,
for it is written, Be holy because I am holy.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to Mark
Mk 10:28-31
Peter began to say to Jesus,
"We have given up everything and followed you."
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
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.
But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first."
TUESDAY OF THE EIGHT WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - Mk 10:28-31
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear People of God,
In today’s Word of God, Jesus gives rewards to those who dare to give up everything in this life to follow God. However, He also warns those who follow God half-heartedly: follow Him without daring to give up, without daring to sacrifice; fear, avoid humiliation, suffering, and persecution.
God the Father loves everyone. He pours His grace like rain showers down on the righteous and the unjust alike. But He is also extremely fair and just with His chosen children, the priests and religious men and women, who have betrayed Him. God the Father clearly understands who has truly "left everything" and followed God, who is the one who is shirking his duty, seeking comfort in parishes, and monasteries, not daring to face the truth, not daring to bear witness to God even though God has revealed many things about the work of The Holy Spirit in the house of God the Father in Bao Loc. That is where the Holy Spirit is pouring out grace like rain. It is there that the Holy Spirit of the Holy Trinity covers all those who let go of everything, sacrifice themselves, fast and pray constantly, work enthusiastically for God the Father, determined to avoid sin, not arrogant, not jealous, envious, etc. That is where it is impossible to deviate from the Teachings of the Catholic Church. Yet many bishops, priests, and religious men and women of God the Father still turn a blind eye and ignore. Why so? Are they worried about their "settlement" so they have to accept their fate? Whatever others do, they will do it too. They are afraid of being chased away, excluded, shunned, and persecuted. God the Father warns: These are people who follow God half-heartedly and do not please God the Father.
Through today's Gospel, God the Father earnestly calls those consecrated to Him to be courageous! "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 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."
As for those who are walking in the Divine Plan of God the Father, those who are being humiliated, excluded, and "persecuted" even though they have done nothing wrong. God wants you to continue to joyfully serve this divine plan like those loyal servants of God the Father. God the Father delights when people joyfully submit to His purification. Love each other like brothers and sisters in the family, support each other during difficult times, and remain calm because God the Father controls everything.
Finally, God the Father promises to reward those who are loyal and faithful to Him until the end. "Indeed, many that are first will be last, and the last will be first."
Thanks be to God. Amen.
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