A blessed Memorial Day for all who live in the United States of America. Today we recognize and remember those veterans who have served in the military and have passed. They gave their lives in order to gain the freedom we enjoy today.
The paradox of voluntarily losing something in order to gain something greater appears both in Peter’s epistle and in Mark’s gospel reading today.
“..for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1: 6-7)
“Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heave; then come, follow me.” (Mark 10: 21)
We experience this aspect of giving or losing in order to give something in our daily lives.
For example, a gambler who goes to the Casino to play slot machines stands to lose the wagered amount (removed) but risks it just the same, the racetrack or the stock market.
The farmer knows what must first be spent on seed and fertilizer, in order to harvest a crop.
Doctors urge patients to lose some weight, for a healthier life.
There is always the issue of risk and reward in life. The proverb no pain no gain promises greater value rewards for the price of hard and even painful work.
“It is easier for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God,” said Jesus.
The rich young man was ready for the challenges of discipleship: the learning, the traveling, and the companionship–but not for this stark call to renunciation.
Tertullian said the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church. Through our baptismal call, we are reminded that we are reborn by baptism into an imperishable inheritance.
As it was in Rome at the time Peter wrote this epistle, so too, in our own time, there are many areas in our world today where joining the Church carried the risk of martyrdom.
The noble call for discipleship requires letting go of something. It may be your friends, family, old way of life, or even your country.
The life of freedom that Jesus offers is special and new. It is the glorious life of the children of God, a source of joy and strength now, a pledge of what is “to be revealed in the last days.”
Life calls for losing something to gain something. May we have the courage and grace to follow Christ whenever He calls.
Have a blessed week
