“We have left everything…” How many times have we experienced, when responding with renewed generosity to the demands of the Christian vocation, that effectively detaching ourselves from goods brings with it the lifting of a considerable weight: like the soldier who strips himself of his heavy gear upon entering combat to be more agile in his movements. Thus, in the service of God, we savor a mastery over the things that surround us: we are no longer their slaves, and we live with joy what Saint Paul alluded to: we are in the world as having nothing, and yet possessing everything8. The heart of the Christian who has thus stripped themselves of selfishness is more easily filled with charity, and with it, all things become theirs: All things are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s9.
Peter reminds Jesus that, unlike the young man who has just left, they abandoned everything for Him. Simon does not look back, but he seems to need a few words from the Master to reassure them that they have gained in the exchange, that it is worth being by His side, even if they possess nothing. The Apostle shows himself to be very human, but his question simultaneously expresses the trust that united him to the Lord. Jesus was filled with tenderness toward those who, despite their flaws, followed Him faithfully: “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…” “Let’s see if you can find anyone on earth who pays with such generosity!”10. Jesus does not fall short. Not even a cup of cold water—an alms, a service, any good deed—given for Christ will go without its reward11. Let us be sincere in examining how we live detachment and poverty: can we affirm before God that we have left everything?
If so, Jesus will not fail to confirm us on the path. How could He, who takes into account even the smallest of actions, forget day-after-day fidelity out of pure love? He who multiplied loaves and fish for a crowd following Him for a few days—perhaps without much rectitude of intention—what will He not do for those who have left everything to follow Him forever? If those who walk behind Him were to need particular help to keep going, how could Jesus forget them? What will our Father God deny us when we turn to Him in the face of a lack of means? “Just because His son returns to Him, after betraying Him, He prepares a feast; what will He grant us if we have always striven to stay by His side?”12.
The words of Christ gave reassurance to those who accompanied Him that day on the way to Jerusalem, and to all those throughout the centuries who, after having surrendered everything to the Lord, once again seek the firmness of faith and self-giving in the Lord’s teaching. Christ's promise far exceeds all the happiness the world can give. He wants us to be happy here on earth as well: those who follow Him with generosity obtain, already in this life, a joy and a peace that far surpass human joys and consolations. And to this joy and peace, a foretaste of Heaven, we must add eternal beatitude. “Life lasts but two hours and the reward is immense; and even if there were none, but simply to fulfill what the Lord advised us, it is a great reward to imitate His Majesty in some way”13.
HCD