Blessed are those who occupy the First Place or Atleast a place in the Kingdom of God

Gospel Thoughts 

14th Week - Wednesday

Matthew 10:1-7

"Blessed are those who occupy the First Place or Atleast a place in the Kingdom of God"

1) The Gospel of the day presents to us the list of the  names of the 12 Apostles. 

In this list we can observe many important points. One among them can be the speciality of the arrangements of their Names

We find the Name of Peter at the First place and the Name of Judas at the last place in the list

Does this speak or reflect something

Yes!!! It speaks or reflects  something very special

2) Peter first in the list becomes first in Everything

# He is the first among the apostles who followed Jesus 

# First one to Proclaim Jesus as the "Christ, Son of the Living God" 

#First one to believe in Jesus' word and to cast the net into the sea

# First one to believe in the power of Jesus and to jump into the water 

# First one to accept his Faults, accept as sinner and also first one to change his life

# First one to use the Sword to protect Jesus 

# First one to follow Jesus when Jesus  was taken for trial

# First one to enter the tomb of the Risen Lord 

# First one to become the leader of the Apostles

# First one to become the Pope of the Church of Christ

# First one to perform the miracle in the name of Jesus at Golden Gate 

# First one to Suffer the martyrdom on the Cross, but in the manner of head down and legs up.

# First one to whom Jesus asked 'Peter do u love me more than these"

# First one to lead the Apostles and also the church 

So in everything Peter became first and even he became first in the kingdom of God 

# He started to become first in the list of name, till the end he remained as first and even to Peter remains first in everything

3) Judas Last in the list of the name of the Apostle

According to the position of the List, he remained last in everything

# The desire for money led Judas to remain last in the list 

#In Aramaic "Judas" means "sinner". So through out his life he remained as sinner and he never tried in any way to become holy. That's why he remained at the last level with regard to Holiness 

#Judas is the last one to realise His mistake of betrayal of Jesus. Even then he never made an attempt to regret and ask for the mercy of the Lord 

#He is the last one to think about others 

#Finally he became last even in the Kingdom of God

#Judas remained as the last person in everywhere. 

#Among the Apostles he is the last one about whom we reflect and meditate about his Life

4) In the book of life where do I want to see my name? 

First  or at least inside the book or not to be found in the book? 

Those who follow Peters example will sure find their names in the book of life

Those who follow the example of Judas, will not find thier names in the book of life 

Peter was not at a perfect man. Among all other disciples he had many weaknesses. Even then his repentance and determination for the Lord made him first in everything. 

If so, I have all the possibilities to follow Peter and to find my name in the book of life. 

Now choice is mine. 

Where do I want to find my name in the book of life 

Think and reflect about it, which is a very serious and relevant question of my existence. 

God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones

Fr Maxim DSouza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore