“Truly, I say to you, you who have left everything and followed me will receive a hundredfold in return and inherit eternal life.” (cf. Mt 19:28–29).
This is the great promise for all who wish to fully commit to following the Lord. What some may see as the “death of their life” is, in truth, an invitation to a deeper life in God’s presence. Those who are called and dedicate themselves totally to God become children of God’s love, as our Father also makes clear in the Book of the Father. This does not mean that other people who do not take this outward step of “leaving this world” are not beloved children of God. However, a special radiance rests upon the apostles of Jesus, who were first addressed by the Lord, as well as upon those who have followed this call over the centuries.
Leaving everything behind means to seek only, and above all, God’s will. It is already a “life beyond,” as God’s grace draws those who have left everything to follow Him into the mystery of divine life. They lose their taste for putting transitory things first, and in this transitory life they arrange their affairs only in such a way that nothing hinders their journey into eternity. They hunger for eternal goods, especially God’s love and closeness.
God’s promises for such a life are wonderful! Everything we have left behind for the Lord’s sake—and, one might add, everything done for Him—will be credited to us with infinite generosity for eternity. For to leave everything behind for the Lord’s sake is a work of generous love, the decision for the greatest love. Our Father knows how to reward this in this life and the next.
Here is the video featuring the words of Jesus that we meditated on today: