From the responsorial psalm: “Gather my faithful ones before me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” And the heavens proclaim his justice; for God himself is the judge. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (10:28-31, today’s readings)
Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age.”
Among what is given up in the present age for eternal life in the age to come, Jesus says that those who have given up this for his sake and for the sake of the Gospel will “receive a hundred times more now in this present age.” With this, there will be persecutions but “eternal life in the age to come.” In following him, Jesus teaches what it means to follow and not follow him: “But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.” Jesus, Incarnate Word, is the fulfillment of the words of Sirach, who says, “For the Lord is one who always repays, and he will give back to you sevenfold.”
God, I hear in Peter’s declaration to Jesus the voice of one who has committed himself entirely: “We have given up everything and followed you.” Yet, Jesus calls out of Peter and all who follow him a greater sacrifice of praise that Sirach and the psalmist speak of. In your voice, the psalmist writes: “He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me.” Of all the good gifts you give me in turn to offer to you, there is no greater sacrifice of praise than to offer “the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ.” In praise, thanks, and adoration, Lord, I ask for the grace to do always what is pleasing to you. Jesus, I trust in you! Saint Casimir, pray for us!
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.