SACRIFICES IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

march 1, 2011

It seems that a sacrifice is not really much of a sacrifice when it has to do with the Kingdom of God. Anyone who gives up something — be it houses, parents, siblings, etc. — will be repaid a hundred times over in the world to come. How can we
call this a sacrifice when a person gets back a hundredfold of what they give up? The answer is quite simple. The guarantee of a reward is not necessarily going to be received in one’s earthly life. The reward is really a heavenly reality. The sacrifice involved affects our earthly pilgrimage.
There is probably a bit of showmanship to Jesus’ promise as well. The meaning of a hundredfold is not meant to be taken literally, but indicate that the reward is beyond anything we think we might deserve. I find it difficult to believe that there is a list of all the sacrifices everyone has made and that we can literally expect a hundredfold when we go to heaven. Who wants a hundred parents anyway – one pair is quite sufficient.
The very gift of eternal life is surely what Jesus is referring to in this text and others similar to it. Yes, some people take them literally when making cash donations and from all reports receive much more in return and in this life as well. This does not mean that God becomes like some sort of automatic dispensing machine that when you put in one gold coin you get one hundred back. Jesus is speaking within the context of what it means to be a faithful disciple and to leave all to follow Him. Jesus basically tells Peter that all who faithfully follow Him will not be left bereft of blessings, both in this life and the next.
God is faithful to His promises — we need not worry about being left abandoned. In fact, our reward or blessing for faithfulness is going to far exceed anything we have ever dreamed about or placed our hopes in.Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

Reflection Question:
Am I willing to sacrifice my plans for the sake of the Kingdom of God? To what degree am I willing to give up all and follow Jesus wherever He leads me?

Jesus, keep my eyes fixed on You and Your will for my life. Help me to follow it as closely as possible so that all I do will be pleasing to You.

St. Leo Luke, pray for us.