Peter points out that the Apostles have left everything and followed Jesus, and Jesus replies:
"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..." God is not saying that we should not help our family members. Rather, he is saying to prefer the glory of God to the things of this world. He wants us to love Him more than we love other things. (Indeed, we can love other things and people because we love God). But what do we prefer to God? What are our idols?
"...receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands..." Here we can understand the joys of communal life. In an authentic community of believers, every house is opened (at least on occasion), every family is shared (with proper respect for boundaries) - we are 'brother and sister in Christ', and the fruits of the land are distributed justly. There is also Communal joy: the joy given to us in the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus at Mass. This joy opens us up further to a full life in community - he is the Source of our unity - and to eternal life in heaven.
"...with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come." But these joys come together with persecution, for following Christ will always bring persecution. He calls us to a different way of life, to doing everything we do in a Christian way, to following Him in the day to day actions of our life. We are to bear the difficulties of this life as "God's soldier." We are, after all, the Church Militant. But it is in these persecutions and trials that we are refined and consumed with love in our relationship with Christ, becoming ever more desirous of eternal life.
Lord, win over our hearts and place Yourself at the center, as the first priority. Draw us into fraternal communion and prepare us for eternal life by the sacred meal we share. Be with us in our sufferings, and let us know your constant Presence.
Mary, gate of heaven, bring us to Your Son and help us to make our choices with Him, through Him, by Him, and for Him - in word, help us to live in God. Pray for us now and at the hour of our death, that we may be warmly welcomed into eternal bliss.
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