There is no greater reward then being with Christ, our Lord Jesus in heaven. Such it the mercy and love of our Lord that He has already shared with us a foretaste of our Heavenly inheritance when He liberates from our sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and gives us His body, blood, soul and divinity at Holy Eucharist. In fact the moment we cry out to Him with contrite hearts, He outpours His merciful grace into our hearts and we are filled with His peace, love and joy.
Why then should we turn to anyone or anything but Him? Why do we give in and allow temptation to ruin our lives? Instead of giving in to habitual sins, can we not cultivate a habit of obedience to Him who loves us?
Lord Jesus have mercy on me a sinner, cleanse me of my many sins. I choose this day to take up my cross to follow You. Give me the courage, strength and Your saving grace to do so now and always. Amen
First reading
1 Peter 1:10-16 ·
Put your trust in the grace that is coming to you
It was this salvation that the prophets were looking and searching so hard for; their prophecies were about the grace which was to come to you. The Spirit of Christ which was in them foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would come after them, and they tried to find out at what time and in what circumstances all this was to be expected. It was revealed to them that the news they brought of all the things which have now been announced to you, by those who preached to you the Good News through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, was for you and not for themselves. Even the angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.
Free your minds, then, of encumbrances; control them, and put your trust in nothing but the grace that will be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. Do not behave in the way that you liked to before you learnt the truth; make a habit of obedience: be holy in all you do, since it is the Holy One who has called you, and scripture says: Be holy, for I am holy.
Gospel
Mark 10:28-31
Whoever has left everything for the sake of the gospel will be repaid
At that time Peter began to tell Jesus, ‘What about us? We have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not be repaid a hundred times over, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land – not without persecutions – now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life.
‘Many who are first will be last, and the last first.’
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