Tuesday of the 8 week in ordinary time ‘c’
No, we won’t be rewarded in this life for being a Christian. I think that is what Peter expected to hear from Jesus when he asked Him today: “We have given up everything and followed you.” Perhaps Peter wanted to hear from Jesus -- don’t worry, I didn’t forget, I will bless you with an abundant, happy, and healthy life for your great sacrifice. Nothing like that. Instead, Jesus is promising Peter that he will bless him with a great community of believers, but then with suffering and persecutions in this life, but then with “eternal life in the age to come.” Jesus didn’t make a promise to you and me that we will be rewarded for following Him in this life. Instead, He said -- take your cross and follow me; and if you will do this, then I will bless you, not in this life but in eternal life in the age to come.
