REAPING THE PROMISE

“No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age.” – Mark 10:29-30

I was 24 when I left my home and family to serve God full- time and live in our community center. For the next 10 years, I hardly saw my family and adopted my spiritual community as my kith and kin. I also abandoned my worldly ambitions and instead lived on a meager wage. I didn’t have material possessions or savings to speak of, but I felt rich in the Lord.

Today, I still consider myself a full-time servant of God although I’m employed in a different company and no longer live in a community center. God has been faithful to fulfill His promise in the passage above because what I gave up for Him when I was younger, He has returned to me beyond measure in my present life.

Today, I am living a life I never dreamed of—a life of prosperity and abundance that I have much to sow for His Kingdom, worldly possessions that far surpass my needs and wants, and loving relationships that fill me with joy and happiness. God cannot be outdone in generosity! Rissa Singson Kawpeng (rissakawpeng@gmail.com)

Reflect: When God asks you to give up something, it’s not because He wants to take from you. He’s simply freeing your hand so you can receive much more.

Lord, I surrender to You with faith and trust.

St. John Joseph of the Cross, pray for us.

Our disposition is important when we offer the Lord our sacrifices or service. If we are self-righteous, our service will be useless. The truth is that everything we offer to the Lord is His in the first place. Be humble as you offer the little that you have to Him. May the grace of humility guide our service and actions, so those whom we serve will only see Christ.

Sirach 35:1-12

1 To keep the law is a great oblation, and he who observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering. 2 In works of charity, one offers fine flour; and when he gives alms, he presents his sacrifice of praise. 3 To refrain from evil pleases the Lord, and to avoid injustice is an atonement. 4 Appear not before the Lord empty-handed, for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts. 5 The just one’s offering enriches the altar and rises as a sweet odor before the Most High. 6 The just one’s sacrifice is most pleasing, nor will it ever be forgotten. 7 In generous spirit pay homage to the Lord, be not sparing of freewill gifts. 8 With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy. 9 Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means. 10 For the Lord is one who always repays, and he will give back to you sevenfold. 11 But offer no bribes, these he does not accept! Trust not in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion, 12 for he is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.

P S A L M 

Psalm 50:5-6, 7-8, 14, 23

R: To the upright, I will show the saving power of God.

5 “Gather my faithful ones before me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” 6 And the heavens proclaim his justice; for God himself is the judge. (R) 7 “Hear, my people, and I will speak; Israel, I will testify against you; God, your God, am I. 8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, for your burnt offerings are before me always. (R) 14 “Offer to God praise as your sacrifice and fulfill your vows to the Most High. 23 He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me; and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.” (R)

GOSPEL 

Why do we focus on the things that we give up as Jesus’ disciples? Have we forgotten that He gave His life for us as a sacrifice for our sins? Here’s our challenge: to follow Jesus regardless of what we have to give up, and see everything as worthless, save for the sake of knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Mark 10:28-31

28 Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.” 29 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 30 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. 31 But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

think: What do you find difficult to give up for Jesus? Why?

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A HUNDRED TIMES MORE

Peter sounds like me, many times a whiner and a complainer. “We have given up everything and followed you.” How’s that for a deal? I give up what I cherish. That’s my part of the deal. Now what? What do I get in return? In Filipino, we have an interesting figure of speech that refers to this—“naghahanap ng sukli” (seeking for a reward).

God knows how many times I have sought returns for what I gave Him. For one simple reason—called pride—there is a part in me that says, “I gave it all,” while in reality, all I have given are crumbs and leftovers.

One thing I realized when I was helping the Yolanda victims a few years ago was that there are people who give while not actually giving. They give what they have no more need of: gowns, high-heeled shoes, prom night attires, and lots of knick-knacks that serve little purpose for those who do not even have a roof over their heads nor assurance of a hot meal the following day(s). But thankfully, there are people who give even from their wants and needs.

I remember the boy who came to me with his piggy bank savings. He gave it to me after I made an appeal to help a fellow student who had gone comatose for days. I also remember a debutante, who, instead of spending her parents’ money on a lavish party, gave it all to help those who were in dire need.

We priests always ask for money. Sometimes I wonder what our lay counterparts think. One thing I can assure my readers is that close friends who know us and who know why we ask what we ask for never hesitate giving—and truth to tell, most of them do not wait for any reward.

This should put many of us to shame. But like Peter, priests, too, are sinners. Today is good as any other day for us to be both convicted and reassured. Away with all this whining—no more rants and complaints. It is not that “I gave it all,” but it is really “winner takes all!” A hundred times more! Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

------- REFLECTION QUESTION -------

When you give, can you honestly say that you are giving without expecting anything in return?

Teach me to be generous, Lord, without waiting for any reward.

Today, I pray for: _____________________________