1ST PETER 1: 10 – 16

Beloved: The prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired about the salvation of souls; they inquired what person or time was indicated by the Spirit of Christ within them when predicting the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things which have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

The Word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 98: 1 – 4 (R.) 2a

R/. The Lord has made known his salvation.

O sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has worked wonders.
His right hand and his holy arm
have brought salvation. R/.

The Lord has made known his salvation,
has shown his deliverance to the nations.
He has remembered his merciful love
and his truth for the house of Israel. R/.

All the ends of the earth
have seen the salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song,
and sing out your praise. R/.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION.
Matthew 11: 25.

Alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.
Alleluia

GOSPEL
MARK 10: 28 – 31

At that time: Peter began to say to Jesus, “Behold, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you; there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first.”

The Gospel of the Lord.
REFLECTION: What is God Calling You to Give Up?
March 1, 2022

“Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.” (Mark 10:28)

Some are called to give up much and follow Christ.  For example, there are those called to the monastic life or a cloister as a religious sister.  They truly give up everything of this world to seek out and follow the invitation of Christ to follow Him in this radical way.  

All of us, however, are called to give up “everything” to follow Christ in our own unique way.  By giving up everything, we are called to completely surrender our own will and preferences in life to serve Christ in accord with His divine plan.  This may take on many forms but, in the end, it’s always a call to give up everything.

The good news is that “giving up everything” is nothing other than giving up our own selfish ideals and preferences in life.  The even better news is that the life God has in store for us is far better than we can dream of or imagine.  So, by saying “No” to our own will and doing things our own way, we are in fact saying “Yes” to doing things in the perfect way of God.

Why wouldn’t we want to seek only His will each and every day of our lives?  Why wouldn’t we want to serve Him and His perfect plan? This may take on the form of service to our families.  Giving to them when we do not feel like doing so.  It may mean striving to find joy in small acts of service and love.  It may mean, for some, giving up all normal attachments in life so as to seek His will in a more radical way.  Whatever the specific calling in life may be for you, it’s worth embracing God’s will.  

Reflect, today, on how ready and willing you are to say “Yes” to Christ no matter what He asks of you.  Are you willing to say “Yes” even to that which He has not yet revealed to you?  Say “Yes” today to whatever your future holds and God will bless you in abundance.

PRAYER:
My trustworthy Lord, no matter what it is You call me to do in life, the answer is “Yes.”  I want to serve Your will selflessly and completely.  Help me to live that calling with generosity and love.  Jesus, I trust in You.https://masvingomirror.com