“What Will There Be for Us?” By Melanie Rigney

 

“What Will There Be for Us?” By Melanie Rigney

Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Because you have thought yourself to have the mind of a god, Therefore I will bring against you foreigners, the most barbarous of nations. They shall draw their swords against your beauteous wisdom. They shall run them through your splendid apparel. (Ezekiel 28:6-7)

It is I who deal death and give life. (Deuteronomy 32:39c) 

Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” (Matthew 19:27)

Piety

Lord, may I resist the temptation to reduce our relationship to a quid pro quo.

Study

If ever there was a Bible verse made for reading out loud, emphasizing a different word each time, it is Matthew 19:27, in particular Peter’s words. 

“We have given up everything and followed you…” and that makes us special, not like all those people You talk about theoretically.

“We have given up everything and followed you…” well, except for maybe our particular conceits and biases and fears and judgey-ness of our companions. 

“We have given up everything and followed you…” more or less, anyway. Some of Your teachings are hard, and our following is half-hearted or reluctant.

“What will there be for us?” Because that’s what it comes down to, right? Jesus has just said that people can’t be saved on their own. What’s in it for us? 

Jesus doesn’t offer confusing words. Those who give up everything and follow will inherit eternal life.

So, that’s what’s in it for us—if we say yes.

Action

Don’t ask God for anything today. Offer thanks and praise.

Image credit is Pixabay geralt, https://pixabay.com/illustrations/signs-green-red-reward-travel-108062/