When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
After the rich young man had departed, there was a dialogue between Jesus and the disciples who were shocked at Jesus’ comment, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God (Mt. 19:24).” The twelve had sacrificed everything to follow Jesus. They had accepted the invitation the rich man had refused (Mt. 4:20, 22), and in despair, they asked Jesus if anyone could be saved (v. 25). Jesus explained that it was through divine grace that what was impossible for humans could be accomplished. Jesus promised them that they would share in the risen Christ’s glory and His authority. Jesus said that the twelve will sit in judgment of the twelve tribes of Israel whom he had come to gather (Mt. 10:6). St. Paul wrote, “Do you not know that the holy ones will judge the world (1 Cor. 6:2)?”
Disciples who have made great sacrifices “for the sake of my name (v. 29)”, will receive a hundred times more in this world and will inherit eternal life (Lk. 22:28-30). They will share in Christ’s glory and be given the authority to sit in judgment with Christ over everyone who did not accept Christ. Those who follow Christ with their whole heart will reap great rewards when they are resurrected.
Almighty God, be merciful unto us when we stand before you with so little to show for all your blessings and allow us, unworthy though we are, to enter into your glory. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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