Holy Thursday by Ermes Dovico

GOSPEL PEARLS

He did not come to take away but to give 

They will be repaid a hundred times over, and also inherit eternal life (Matthew 19,29)

Gospel Pearls 11_07_2022 Italiano Español

Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘What about us?’ he said. ‘We have left everything and followed you. What are we to have, then?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I tell you solemnly, when all is made new and the Son of Man sits on his throne of glory, you will yourselves sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or land for the sake of my name will be repaid a hundred times over, and also inherit eternal life.’(Matthew 19,27-29)

Peter might seem offensive when he asks Jesus what he gains by following Him, but in reality it’s what we all do. Nobody does anything for nothing. Only God gives freely, hence the word Grace, which means, free. We human beings, on the other hand, always want something in exchange for our time, our availability, our work. It could be argued that there are things we do for free ... but it's an illusion. In fact, even if we spend some of our time with an elderly person, even if we do not want to be paid, in reality we are gratified by feeling useful to someone. Jesus knows people’s hearts well and knowing our desire to to be reciprocated for what we do, he promises to give a hundredfold here below and eternal life thereafter. Don't you think, He is a very generous God?