Gospel
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.”
Jesus had just told the one with many possessions that while he had observed all the commandments he needed to do one thing more. To give away all that he had and follow him. At which the man became sad for he had many possessions.
It was then Peter said to Jesus they had given up everything to follow him.
The point is not that we must always give up possessions. Jesus is not calling for the rejection of all familial relationships. He is not even rejecting possessing wealth.
A takeaway for this discussion is we are not to put anything ahead of following Jesus.
The man in the earlier verses held on tightly to his possessions. They filled his heart and hands. So, he would never be able to receive Jesus for he was full of other things. He put them first instead of putting God first.
So even while obeying the commandments he failed as a follower. But really, he wasn’t following the commandments at all. Jesus doesn’t say this, but it is evident that he placed possessions ahead of God and we know we are to love God above all others and above all things.
For the reward is greater for the one who chooses rightly and always puts Jesus first.
What are we holding on to right now?
Do I refuse to let go of possessions or wealth and do not share it with others?
Do I insist that my time is mine to manage and worship and prayer are secondary to work and surfing the internet or hobbies.
Do I choose the game this weekend over attendance at mass or volunteering to help others?
Maybe, for us, it is choosing to get along and staying quiet when you see those you love fall away from the church.
Are we placing that relationship and acceptance by others ahead of following Christ? We cannot say we follow Christ if we do not proclaim his truth. Yes, we will lose friendships and easy alliances. We will be shunned.
But we will be putting God first by always presenting his way and truth first in all things.
And Jesus says with persecution and even social rejection, we will find joy and peace and eternal life.
But we get to choose to follow Jesus or not.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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