1 Peter 1 : 10-16 / Mark 10 : 28-31
At times, Christianity seemed like a religion that teaches about delayed gratification, as in we just have to suffer on earth and then we will be rewarded in heaven.
When we look carefully at the cost of being a disciple of Christ, the suffering aspect becomes clearer.
After all, Jesus Himself suffered rejection and persecution and eventually crucifixion.
So what reward is He talking about for the present time?
We may be able to accept the teaching about the reward in the next life.
But reward in this present life? That we are not too sure about.
But the 1st reading gives us some idea of what this so-called reward is all about.
It talks about freeing the mind from the things that tie us down.
It is a freedom from the things that gives us only temporary satisfaction.
It is a freedom that comes from living in the truth and in obedience to God.
And the reward is that we experience the holiness of God from within.
It is a holiness that radiates from within and attracts others and draws them to God.
Indeed, our greatest reward on earth is to live a life of freedom, and it is a life that is lived in the holiness of God.