Don’t Be A Loser | May 24, 2016

May 24, 2016

Today’s gospel gives me comfort. Every now and then I find myself wondering if the sacrifices I have made in the name of Jesus and for the ministry are worth it and Jesus’ words today tell me, yes. “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.” When guilt and regret creep in at not giving grandchildren to my parents, or when I realize that I am not anyone’s true love, or when I think that all I really own is a car payment, and when all these silly voices of the world bend my ear to get me to falter in my convictions, I have this gospel to remind me that we are not meant for this world, we are meant for the next and more over, “giving up” these things is really not a loss, but the only way for me to actually live.

Dad’s death has really helped put this all into perspective because at the end, he kept saying “don’t sweat the small stuff, there are much more important things with which to concern ourselves.” He’s right. The trick is to make sure that I am indeed following Jesus, because if I lose sight of that, then I am just a loser. Jesus doesn’t want a bunch of losers following him around like lost puppies. He wants convicted winners that know what is important and are strong enough to give up. Let’s be thankful for the blessings that have come with all the sacrifices we have willingly made in the name of love, and don’t be a loser.

Reading 1 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.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4

R. (2a) The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him, 
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

Alleluia SEE MT 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel 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.”