What did Finally Peter give up?

Gospel Thoughts*

*Ordinary Season : 8th Week -  Tuesday*

*GOSPEL -  Mk 10:28-31*

*First Reading - Sir 35:1-12*

*What did Finally Peter give up?*

*Peter began to say to Jesus,“We have given up everything and followed you.”*

*1) Peter gave up His business*

There is no doubt that Peter was a well trained fishermen who not only caught fish for his daily needs but also to make business out of it. 

In fact when Jesus called him he was busy with his work along with his friends. 

So when Jesus called Peter he left his business and followed Jesus 

*2) He gave up his things*

As we know that Peter was a fishermen he had few boats and other things, which he used for his daily work 

In order to follow Jesus he had to leave all these things and even leave the boats. Peter did leave these things and followed Jesus 

*3) Peter gave up his friends*

As a fishermen Peter had lots of friends from this folk. He might have had friends from other circles to since he was a well known fishermen 

Once again he had to leave all these things in order to follow Jesus 

*4) Peter gave up his family* 

Peter was a family man. He had his family members, with whom he lived. 

So when he decided to follow Jesus he had to sacrifice his family life in order to be with Jesus 

From the life of Peter we know that he gave up his family for the sake of Jesus 

*5) Peter gave up his property*

Even though the Gospel does not make a mention about it, it is sure that Peter has some property, in which he lived. 

He gave up his property in order to follow Jesus and to be with Jesus 

*6) Peter gave up his comfortable life*

As it appears that Peter had a comfortable life with his family and the fishing profession.

He gives up this comfortable life and decides to accept a new way of life, with Jesus along with many challenges

These challenges we can see in the life of Peter at various occasions

*7) Peter gave up his life*

Peter spent all his life once he followed Jesus for the spread of the kingdom of God. 

He went into different places, faced many challenges, suffered physical violence and mental torture and finally he was crucified upside down. 

So Peter even gave his precious life for Jesus. That is the height of his sacrifice

*8) Peter had given up everything*

As he proclaims in today's Gospel, that he had given up everything, it is 100% true that he had given up everything for the sake of Jesus 

There is no doubt about it. 

*9) What I have given up to follow Jesus*

Apart from the above mentioned material things we can also give the following things to follow Jesus 

I can give up my anger 

I can give up my jealousy

I can give up my selflessness

I can give up my revengeful attitude 

I can give up my pride 

I can give up ghetto mentality

I can give my narrow thinking 

I can give my attitude of self righteousness

I can give up my laziness

I can give up gossip mentality 

Also I can give up many other things. Think about it 

*Like Peter am I confident to say Jesus I have given up many things for your sake. What will I get?*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*