From the Gospel according to Matthew. Mt 19, 27-29.
Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life”.
The Gospel of the Lord
A Hundredfold
The Lord always gives us back a hundredfold.
In our lives, our priority must be Him and only Him. It’s true that we have “state obligations,” and by fulfilling them we also serve God. But sometimes the devil tempts us by making us place more importance on earthly things than on divine ones.
In our lives, our priority must be Him and only Him. It’s true that we have “state obligations,” and by fulfilling them we also serve God. But sometimes the devil tempts us by making us place more importance on earthly things than on divine ones.
In the Gospel, Christ speaks to us about receiving a hundred times more, but we ask ourselves: when we give ourselves to the Lord, do we do it for the reward or out of love? We must give ourselves out of love, expecting nothing in return, because the very act of giving ourselves is already more than a gift (“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20, 35). Our self-giving should be without measure, as many saints have said throughout history: we must give until it hurts.
Applied to Married Life:
Maria: Honey, could you help me prepare dinner tonight? My afternoon got complicated with work, and I don’t know if I’ll have time.
Karsten: Well… okay, but if I help you today, would you come with me Tuesday night to that dinner with my friends we’ve been postponing?
Maria: Seriously? It’s just that your friends tell some crude jokes, sometimes they go too far, and I feel a bit uncomfortable… That’s why I don’t enjoy those dinners.
Karsten: You’re right, love. Since we’ve been drawing closer to the Lord, those dinners have been hard for me too. People laugh at everything, but in a mean-spirited way… Also, I ask your forgiveness, because I shouldn’t love you with conditions. I’ll roll up my sleeves right now and make a delicious dinner.
Maria: That’s wonderful! You don’t know how much I appreciate it. I just had an idea, what if we change the plan, see what you think… We tell your friends to meet us at the Adoration chapel first on Tuesday, and then we go to dinner. That way, we can start bringing them closer to the Lord.
Karsten: I think that’s a fantastic idea! That way, Jesus will begin transforming their hearts.
Karsten: Well… okay, but if I help you today, would you come with me Tuesday night to that dinner with my friends we’ve been postponing?
Maria: Seriously? It’s just that your friends tell some crude jokes, sometimes they go too far, and I feel a bit uncomfortable… That’s why I don’t enjoy those dinners.
Karsten: You’re right, love. Since we’ve been drawing closer to the Lord, those dinners have been hard for me too. People laugh at everything, but in a mean-spirited way… Also, I ask your forgiveness, because I shouldn’t love you with conditions. I’ll roll up my sleeves right now and make a delicious dinner.
Maria: That’s wonderful! You don’t know how much I appreciate it. I just had an idea, what if we change the plan, see what you think… We tell your friends to meet us at the Adoration chapel first on Tuesday, and then we go to dinner. That way, we can start bringing them closer to the Lord.
Karsten: I think that’s a fantastic idea! That way, Jesus will begin transforming their hearts.
Mother,
Help us give ourselves without limits, without conditions, until it hurts. Glory and praise to the Lord who makes all things possible.
Help us give ourselves without limits, without conditions, until it hurts. Glory and praise to the Lord who makes all things possible.