Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
(Sirach 35:1-12; Mark 10:28-31)
Peace Corps volunteers and missionaries often say that they
received more than they gave. It had
seemed at one time a great sacrifice to live in a foreign country. There is no hefty salary, few if any
opportunity for advancement, and no quick trips home to take part in a wedding
or birthday party. Nevertheless, rewards
come in rich experiences, sincere friendships, and closeness to the Lord. The last of these benefits can be derived
from today’s readings.
The lesson from Sirach emphasizes how true sacrifices please
the Lord. It warns against thinking that
one can buy a favor but recommends charity as a way to ingratiate a merciful
God. The gospel indicates that the promised
reward does not come on demand. The
opposite is more likely. Those who follow the Lord by imitating Jesus may very
well find themselves persecuted.
Nevertheless, there is a guarantee that in the end they will be more
than compensated for their sacrifices.
We don’t have to go far to experience the truth of these
readings. The more we stoop to help others,
the higher God will lift us.
