Gospel: Mark 10: 28-31
How often it is that Peter and Jesus are on completely different wavelengths! In today's reading Peter says to Jesus: "We have given up everything to follow you!" The unstated question is: what's in it for us? Peter is expecting a reward. He and the others are convinced Jesus is the Messiah, and once he restores the kingdom of Israel they will all get lands, power, and succession. Succession, indeed...
Jesus, however, is on a completely different track. Yes, Peter, you have given up family to follow me, but you will receive the reality that all people are called to the family of God. What is your reward in this earth? The same as your Master - persecution and death. But don't worry: you will rise again to be with me in God's heavenly kingdom, of which this life is but a foretaste.
How often are we like Peter. We make Jesus into a political thing. We lust for power and influence in the name of "restoring Christendom" or "building the kingdom on earth." We have given all for this, but not for the real work of the Lord Jesus who calls all to the family of God, who walks to Calvary opposed by the very forces we seek to create and coddle. The kingdom of God is already in our midst, a foretaste of what is to come if we perceive it with the eyes of Jesus.
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