"But many that are first will be last,
and the last will be first.”
(Mark 10:31)
God’s Kingdom operates on principles of humility and service, rather than power and status. Jesus does not guarantee a life free from hardship or suffering. Following Jesus may involve giving up comfort, relationships, or material possessions. Sacrifices are often required in our journey of faith but our sacrifices for the Kingdom of God are not in vain. Those who sacrifice for His sake and the gospel will receive blessings in this life and eternal life in the age to come.
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.” (Mark 10:28-31)
In the realm where the Divine does reign, humility and service are the gain. Not power, not status, not worldly acclaim, but love and grace in His holy name. No promise of life without pain or test, in following Jesus, we give our best. Comfort, possessions, ties that bind, we may leave these all behind. Sacrifices made, in faith, not in vain, for the Kingdom of God, we bear the strain. In the gospel's cause, we find our role, His love inscribed on every soul. Blessings abound in this life we're in, and eternal life is the ultimate win. For those who for His sake have strived, in the age to come, they'll be revived.
Dear Lord Jesus, in Your Kingdom, humility and service reign, not power, not status, not worldly gain. You've shown us that life may not be free from strife, but in following You, we find true life. We understand that comfort, relationships, and possessions, may be given up in our faith's progressions. Sacrifices are often required in our journey of faith, help us remember, they're not in vain, but a wraith. For the Kingdom of God, we willingly sacrifice, knowing that these offerings will suffice. Those who give for Your sake and the gospel's call, will receive blessings in this life and beyond all. We trust in Your promise of eternal life to come, a reward for those who have faithfully run. Help us, Lord, to live by Your grace, and one day see You face to face. In Your Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
God is faithful and reliable in His promises. It is important for us to study and understand God’s Word, as it contains prophecies and promises that are relevant to our lives. We should always diligently search and inquire through the sciptures about the grace that is to come. Were are not serving ourselves but future our generations. We are privileged to be recipients of God’s salvation, a gift that was foretold centuries before we were born. In light of the grace we received through Christ, we are called to be holy in all our conduct. Our faith should transform our lives, leading us to live in a way that reflects God’s holiness. Suffering is often a precursor to glory, a pattern exemplified in the life of Christ. Let us strive for holiness, trust in God’s faithfulness, and find hope in the promise of glory after suffering.
10 Beloved: Concerning the salvation of your souls, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it, 11 investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the Good News to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look. 13 Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance 15 but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, 16 for it is written, Be holy because I am holy. (1 Peter 1:10-16)
In the scriptures, we seek and find, God's promises, so faithful and kind. Prophecies and promises, a treasure trove, guiding us on the path He wove. Not for ourselves, we delve and learn, but for future generations, we yearn. Centuries foretold, a gift so divine, God's salvation, eternally thine. In Christ's grace, we bask and glow, called to be holy, in all we do. Our faith transforms, our lives it molds, reflecting His holiness, our heart holds. Suffering, a precursor to glory bright, in Christ's life, a beacon of light. Strive for holiness, in faithfulness trust, in the promise of glory, hope is a must.
Dear Heavenly Father, we acknowledge Your faithfulness and reliability in all Your promises. We thank You for the gift of Your Word, a guide in our lives, filled with prophecies and promises that are relevant to us. Help us to diligently search and inquire through the scriptures, to understand the grace that is to come. Remind us that we are not serving ourselves but future generations, and that we are privileged to be recipients of Your salvation, a gift that was foretold centuries before we were born. In light of the grace we received through Christ, we are called to be holy in all our conduct. May our faith transform our lives, leading us to live in a way that reflects Your holiness. We acknowledge that suffering is often a precursor to glory, a pattern exemplified in the life of Christ. Help us to strive for holiness, trust in Your faithfulness, and find hope in the promise of glory after suffering. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Victory in our lives comes from God and not from our own strength or effort. We should continually find new reasons to praise God and not to dwell on past victories alone. God’s faithfulness and love towards His people is unchanging. The universal nature of God’s salvation and righteousness extends to all nations. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Let us continually praise God for His marvelous deeds, rely on Him for victory, recognize His righteousness and salvation, trust in His faithfulness, and respond with joyful praise.
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds. His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. 2 The Lord has made his salvation known; in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4)
In our lives, victory takes flight, not by our strength, but God's might. New reasons to praise, we should find, not dwelling on past victories, left behind. God's love and faithfulness, ever unchanging, His care for His people, never rearranging. His salvation and righteousness, so grand, extend universally, to every land. From east to west, from pole to pole, all the earth has seen His salvation roll. Marvelous deeds, from God above, call us to praise, with hearts full of love. Rely on Him for victory, recognize His salvation, trust in His faithfulness, without hesitation. Respond with joyful praise, let it resound, for in our God, true joy is found.
Dear Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that victory in our lives comes from You, not from our own strength or effort. Help us to continually find new reasons to praise You, and not to dwell on past victories alone. We thank You for Your unchanging faithfulness and love towards us, your people. We recognize the universal nature of Your salvation and righteousness, which extends to all nations. All the ends of the earth have seen Your salvation, a testament to Your marvelous deeds. Help us to continually praise You for these deeds, to rely on You for victory, and to recognize Your righteousness and salvation. We trust in Your faithfulness, and respond with joyful praise. May our lives reflect Your glory, and may our hearts be filled with Your love. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
IV: The Full Revelation of the Mystery
THE RICH MAN
Mark 10:17-31
First Reading
II: The Gift and Call of God in Baptism
BLESSING / OBEDIENCE
1 Peter 1:3-12 / 13-16
Psalm
Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106
THE COMING OF GOD
Psalm 98:1-9
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
