GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 28TH FEBRUARY 2017
TUESDAY OF THE EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: Sirach 35:1-12
PSALM: Psalm 50:5-8, 14, 23
GOSPEL: Mark 10:28-31
THEME: WHAT IF…?
To follow Jesus wholeheartedly is a big risk with a lot of “what-ifs”. Following Jesus is like the ‘Crossing of the Red Sea’ (Exodus 14). What if the waves of the sea roll back? What if the person we have chosen to follow is just taking us for an empty ride? What if we get to the other side and we realise that there is nothing to hope for? What if this whole project of faith is one nice ‘April-fool’ passed on from one generation to the next?
Investors would tell you that it is not advisable to put all your eggs in one basket, especially when you are not certain of the quality of the basket. In the text of Mark 10:17ff, a rich young man ran to Jesus as if going for a high jump but when he saw the height of the bar of discipleship, he stopped and made a U-turn. He found the risk too big to take. That made Jesus to say, “How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mk. 10:23).
In today’s Gospel text, Peter said to Jesus, “Behold, we have left everything and followed you” (Mk. 10:28). In response, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life” (Mk. 10:29-30).
The uncertainties that characterise the journey of faith have made some to adopt a ‘strategic-approach’ in response to the call to discipleship. Like international observers on a mission, some ‘Christians’ prefer to follow Jesus from a well calculated distance so that in the event of any trial, they would easily take cover. Let us be frank, there are many tourists in our churches today than followers. These tourists come to have a look at the interior decorations in the church, listen to the choir sing and pick some few life-lessons from the homily of the priest/pastor. In some cases, the church is turned into an entertainment center to make them happy, after all, it is their church-collection that keeps the priest/pastor alive – “He who pays the piper calls the tune”. They are happy to come to church but do not make that one important decision to follow Jesus.
If F.A.I.T.H is “Forsaking All I Take Him” then many of us are yet to come to faith in Jesus.
Is Jesus the Lord of my life? Can I really say that “all to Jesus I surrender”? Following Jesus is expensive — you give all, not some — but it is worth the choice. I am yet to meet one person who sincerely chose to follow Jesus and regretted making that choice. Jesus awaits you. Choose to follow him. Do not procrastinate; make the choice today.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, you are my joy. Amidst the uncertainties of this earthly life, I smile, knowing that with you I am safe for all eternity. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).