Mark 10: 28-31 The first will be last, and the last will be first

In today's Gospel follows the story of the young man who has been faithful to the law of Moses, and yet Jesus calls him to give up everything of this world and follow him.  Today Peter says that he and the other apostles have done just that: followed the Law and given up everything to follow Jesus.  It is almost as if, he is asking "Where is my reward?" 

Jesus reassures Peter and us that he has done right, and that everything will be given back to him in the life to come, but that he should be prepared for persecutions and tribulations in this life before he can reach the next.  Within Jesus' words is an echo from Job when trials and persecutions afflict Job, then he family is lost, and finally he is afflicted in body, yet Job remains faithful and is rewarded abundantly with great riches, wife and more children, and life.  Is Jesus perhaps trying to make this correlation for Peter?  That suffering in this world and becoming detached to temporal things will lead us to ever greater joy and the richness of the life to come?  Perhaps. 

St. Augustine wrote about the two Cities, the temporal city and the City of God existing with each other, how we can belong to both: living in this world yet simultaneously living in God's kingdom.  Our priests and other religious are called to live that way, and thus are our living example.  We find our greatest saints, both lay or religious are that same way, so we know it is possible.  How can we strive to find that balance in our lives starting fresh today?

Mark 6:14-29 Martrydom of John the Baptist

for today's reading (http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020516.cfm)

“The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity.”  ~Tertullian

What is it that the saints knew that gave them such a peace of mind in the midst of their tribulations?   Today is the feast of St. Agatha, born into a distinguished family, who was tortured and eventually martyred (to be venerated as a virgin martyr since Christian antiquity) for her steadfast faith which contributed to her refusal of the illicit invitation of a suitor. We also learn today about John the Baptist who professed our faith too, and was held captive, probably tortured, and likewise martyred.  What caused them to remain calm amidst the tumult?  St. Ambrose helps us to understand, “The Lord is very near, there is no need to worry: the Lord is always near to anyone who calls on him in truth, with right faith, with firm hope, with perfect love. He himself knows what you need before you ask it of him: he is always ready to give his faithful servants whatever help they need. When bad things happen to us we should not be greatly worried, because we should know that we have God close to us as our defender. The Lord is close to those with contrite hearts; those with a broken spirit he will save. Many are the tribulations of the just; the Lord will free them of all their troubles. If we fight to fulfil and keep his precepts, he will not be slow to give us the aid he has promised.”

Martyrdom was a fulfillment of a life lived in love and service to the Lord. From the moment he leapt in his mother’s womb, to the point of his death, John the Baptist’s whole life pointed to Christ.  It was in Christ that he found perfect happiness. Perhaps we have been persecuted ourselves for our Christian way of life. Sometimes extraordinary witnesses are called to offer a greater witness to this Way of life.    Our communion antiphon today reminds us, “Blessed are they who have kept the Word with a generous heart, and yield a harvest through perseverance.” (Lk 8:15)  Let us join St. Agatha and John the Baptist in shaping our lives to point to Christ. 

Luke 21:34-36

Today's reading is very short and very important, so much so that it will be repeated on Sunday.  What is the message?  "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap...Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man,"  Jesus says to us.

Be aware of the anxieties of daily life.  It is so easy to get caught up in work, taking care of kids or elderly parents, of planning for the future, of worrying about little things.  These are small tribulations.  We are being told to be aware, get a new perspective, the Lord should come first in our lives; we should be aware that we will stand before the Son of Man in our judgement.  Will we be found worthy?  This is why we should pay attention to what we do and why we them.  Prepare yourself by doing those things that you know to be right and just.