Tuesday 28 May 2024

Today is Tuesday 28 May, in the 8th week of Ordinary Time. Nóirín Ní Riain, with the monks of Glenstal Abbey, sings the Beatitudes. (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 10:28-31 Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’ Peter’s exasperation is evident here. We all want some recognition of our sacrifices now and again! Our world can so easily be about the “quick-fix”. But Jesus reminds us that our faith isn’t a quick fix. When have you felt that impatience and exasperation in yourself? Perhaps you feel it now? What Jesus says about the promise of rewards also tells us where God’s priorities are. Who are those who are “the last” in your world? – in your life? St Teresa of Calcutta used to talk about seeing Christ in the faces of the poor, the sick, the hungry, the downtrodden. As you listen to the reading again, imagine the faces of those who are “last”. Jesus realised how Peter felt, he understood him, and he didn’t slap him down. And it is the same for each of us when we speak to Jesus – we can tell him how we feel without fear of it being the wrong thing to say. So, speak to the Lord now. Tell him openly and honestly whatever it is you are feeling. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.