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.
_____
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.
_____
The comfort of living and working with
people who respect the call of God and the necessity of growing in the
spiritual life.
_____
The opportunity to use one's gifts for the good of God's world.
_____
The opportunity for one's life to be a public witness
to the gospel of Jesus Christ._____
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.
_____
Knowing that one is in the right place, and
would do it all again.
"Again, the kingdom of
heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls;
on finding one pearl of great value, [she] went and sold all
that [she] had and bought it.
Matthew 13:45-46
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)
Day 7. Sacrifice and the Hundredfold (part 2)
Let's not forget the promised hundredfold!