TUESDAY OF THE EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Mark 10:28-31) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.” (Mk 10:31)

FIRST READING - Sirach 35:1-12

A reading from the Book of Sirach

To keep the law is a great oblation,

and he who observes the

commandments sacrifices a peace offering.

In works of charity one offers fine flour,

and when he gives alms he presents his sacrifice of praise.

To refrain from evil pleases the LORD,

and to avoid injustice is an atonement.

Appear not before the LORD empty-handed,

for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts.

The just one's offering enriches the altar

and rises as a sweet odor before the Most High.

The just one's sacrifice is most pleasing,

nor will it ever be forgotten.

In a generous spirit pay homage to the LORD,

be not sparing of freewill gifts.

With each contribution show a cheerful countenance,

and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.

Give to the Most High as he has given to you,

generously, according to your means.

For the LORD is one who always repays,

and he will give back to you sevenfold.

But offer no bribes, these he does not accept!

Trust not in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion.

For he is a God of justice,

who knows no favorites.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mark 10:28-31

From the Gospel according to Mark

Peter began to say to Jesus,

'We have given up everything and followed you."

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:

houses and brothers and sisters

and mothers and children and lands,

with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.

But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first."

TUESDAY OF THE EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Mark 10:28-31)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

In today's Word of God, Jesus gives rewards to those who dare to give up everything in this life to follow Him. But He also warns those who follow Him half-heartedly—those who are not daring to renounce, not daring to sacrifice; those who are afraid, avoiding humiliation, suffering, and persecution.

God the Father loves everyone. It is like rain that He pours His grace upon both the righteous and the wicked. However, He is infinitely just and fair with His chosen children, the priests, and the religious who have betrayed Him.

God the Father knows who has truly "abandoned everything" to follow Him, and who is avoiding their duties, seeking safety in parishes and monasteries, not daring to face the truth, and not daring to bear witness to God, even though God has revealed many things about the work of the Holy Spirit in the House of God the Father. That is where the Holy Spirit is pouring out graces like rain.

It is the place where the Spirit of God covers all those who dare to let go of everything, sacrifice and mortify themselves, fast and pray constantly, working day and night for God the Father, especially the grace to acknowledge sins and determine to repent. This is the place where there can be no deviation from the Church's Doctrine of Faith.

Despite this, many bishops, priests, and religious of God the Father turn a blind eye. Why is that so? Do they worry about their own well-being and so accept their fate and follow what others do? Are they afraid of being chased away, excluded, shunned by the world, or persecuted? God the Father warns that these are the people who follow Him half-heartedly and do not please Him.

Through today's Gospel, God the Father earnestly calls on those who have been consecrated to Him to be courageous! "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." But must go "along with persecution," and then "will have eternal life in the age to come."

And those who are doing the work of God the Father, those who are being humiliated, excluded, or "persecuted" even though they have done nothing wrong—God wants us to joyfully serve this work as faithful servants of God the Father. God the Father is pleased when we joyfully accept His purification, bow down to serve our brothers and sisters, love everyone, and love all creatures as God the Father loves us. We must support the souls that are falling into the filthy mire of sin, and be at peace because God the Father controls everything.

Our responsibility is to obey God the Father, trust in Him, and entrust everything to Him—especially to love the Church of God the Father, to love the souls who have fallen into sin, and all the creatures He has created, including fallen Satans and demons.

These creatures are in great need of human mercy so that many Satans May have the opportunity to be saved by God through our sacrifices and the chosen ones, who are at the forefront of God’s plan of Sanctification of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, God the Father promises to reward those who are faithful and loyal to Him to the end. Indeed, '" many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”'

Thanks be to God. Amen