7. Vocation Quest: Sacrifice and the Hundrefold

Day 7. Sacrifice and the Hundredfold (b)

Peter began to say to [Jesus], "Look, we have left everything and followed you."
Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life." (Mark 10:28-30)

2. Hundredfold
The promises of Jesus for those who follow him are abundant. Even in this life disciples are assured a hundredfold, multiples of all they have given up — and more, including persecutions!

Some of the Hundredfold:

The blessing of community.
If community requires sacrifices of us, it is also a great blessing. Even the difficult times can become occasions of grace.

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Prayer as a priority:
time set aside for prayer both alone and together, the requirement of making a retreat and days of prayer, and perhaps, depending on the community, the gift of silent times.

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The comfort of living and working with people who respect the call of God and the necessity of growing in the spiritual life.

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The opportunity to use one's gifts for the good of God's world.

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The opportunity for one's life to be a public witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Freedom from the tyranny of social norms and public opinion, for example with regard to dress, possessions, lifestyle, honors. No longer the need to keep up with the Joneses in our appearance, in our opinions, in our finances, in our lifestyle. The joy of knowing that what matters is not what we have or what people think of us. What is important is God.

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Knowing that one is in the right place, and would do it all again.

What do you imagine would be special blessings for you in religious life?

Write or talk to God about these.

Ponder what you have written.

You might also want to visit the Virtual Chapel.

Additional prayer material, if it seems right for you: "Praying with the Story of My Life"

And for quiet gazing, this brief video, "Only Thou"

Close with the Our Father or the following prayer:

Loving God,
may I take on the mind and heart of Christ,
that I may hear your call
for my life
and embrace your world
through my prayer, my work,
and my life with others,
in Jesus Christ.
Amen.

The Retreat:

Vocation Quest: An Online Retreat copyright © 2002-2010 by the Cenacle Sisters
Eight Online Days of Prayer for Women Discerning a Call to Become a Catholic Sister
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