Mk 10:28-31
28Peter began to say to [Jesus], “We have given up everything and followed you.” 29Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel 30who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. 31But many that are first will be last, and [the] last will be first.”
We have given up everything. When I was ordained 25 years ago, I felt proud, telling myself that Jesus had chosen me. Yes, I did not choose Jesus. Well, I thought that Jesus needed my hands to reach out to people. He needed my mouth to spread his word. He needed my heart to feel people’s pains.
But now that I am a bit old in the ministry, I shamefully feel and humbly confess that these are not true. No, Jesus does not need me. He is God; he needs nothing. In fact, it is I who need him! I have remained a priest because the Lord’s hand has supported me and prevented me from falling. I need the Lord’s word lest I get lost. I need his heart lest my own go haywire!
Have I given up everything? No! The Lord has given me everything, much more than I expected. I am first, or last, or middle—who cares? When one has the Lord beside him, anywhere will do! The Lord has no sitting arrangements, no VIP privileges. He knows no last or first. Every place for him is special, everything important, everyone personal. Who chose whom? It does not matter. He loves me and I respond. That alone matters!