“Attachment is the great fabricator of illusions; realty can be obtained only by someone who is detached.” – Simone Weil

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For a deeper reflection, listen to my song “Pour Me Out” on YouTube by clicking HERE

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Thank you!

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Mark 10:29-30

Jesus 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 the for the sake of the gospel who 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.“

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These are comforting words from Jesus to anyone who gives up everything for the sake of the gospel.

Interesting how it seems you get back all that you gave up!

But now you also get persecutions.

The good news is that you also get eternal life in the age to come.

So, first off, what is the gospel?

I’m thinking there would be a myriad of answers given because people believe various things.

For me, the gospel is that God loves you, everyone, and everything — unconditionally, and that we are to share that love through our words and actions.

I don’t really think that this requires you to literally walk away from your family and possessions.

But it might.

It depends on each person’s unique calling.

I do think it means that you must give up your attachments to family and possessions for the sake of the gospel.

The gospel must have first priority in your life.

And Jesus seems to indicate that you will receive everything back and much, much more in this present age.

That means now.

It’s not a reward given some distant day in a future heaven.

Although Jesus adds the part about eternal life in the age to come.

This means that if your top priority is to love God, neighbor, and self, if you are living that priority, you will be living it also eternally.

It’s always now, you know.

But Jesus gives us the sobering news that loving all people, even the ones, or perhaps especially the ones we aren’t supposed to love, will cost us.

We will be persecuted.

Take courage!

Love will win out.

After all, Love is who God is!

And as St. Paul said: “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God” (Romans 8:39).

That’s the Gospel…the Good News!

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Listen to the song of the day “Pour Me Out” on the Give Praise and Thanks album by clicking HERE.

Purchase my albums/CDs and books by clicking HERE.

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Remember: God loves you!