If Jesus talks of a hundredfold award, it must be part of
a cycle of graces for those who believe and put their faith into
practice. Mind you, God’s word never fails. It has the mark of
infallibility since God Almighty can never err.
Why? He promised us the hundredfold, if we are
faithful. Of course, we have to stick to His very words. Can I
explain it? It’s hard because you really understand it when you live it
fully. Must be true, it’s found in three gospels: St. Matthew, St. Mark,
St. Luke. If this involves multiple relationships, St. Paul gives this advice.
“Do not speak harshly to a man older than yourself, but advise him as you would
your own father; treat the younger men as brothers and older women as you would
your mother. Always treat young women with propriety, as if they were
sisters” (1 Tim. 5:1-2).
Since the point here involves people serving the interest
of Jesus and His gospel, let us intently consider and analyze the very words of
the three gospels quoting this topic, which only us how people who truly love
God and their neighbour also share such love with one another generously and
positively both in word and deed. When people love one another sincerely they
may in truth say ‘what is yours is mine, what is mine is yours’.
Mt. 19:27-29: “Then Peter spoke up and said, ‘You see we have given up
everything to follow you: what will be our lot?’ Jesus answered, ‘You who have
followed me, listen to my words: on the Day of Renewal,when the Son of Man sits
on his throne in glory, you, too, will sit on twelve thrones to rule the twelve
tribes of Israel. As for those who have left houses, brothers, sisters,
father, mother, children or property for my Name’s sake, they will receive a
hundredfold and be given eternal life’.”
Mk. 10:28-30: “Peter spoke up and said, ‘We have given up everything to
follow you.’ Jesus answered, ‘Truly, there is no one who has left house
or brothers or sisters, or father or mother, or children, or lands for my sake
and for the Gospel, who will not receive his reward. I say to you: even
in the midst of persecution he will receive a hundred times as many houses,
brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and lands in the present time and in the
world to come eternal life.’.”
Lk. 18:28-30: “Then Peter said, ‘We left everything we had and followed
you.’ Jesus replied, ‘Truly I tell you, whoever has left house or wife, or
brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, will
receive much more in the present time and eternal life in the world to come’.”
On the true kinsmen of Jesus, we read from Mk. 3:31-35:
“Then his mother and his brothers came. As they stood outside, they sent
someone to call him, ‘Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for
you.’ He replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking around at
those who sat there he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever
does the will of God is brother and sister and mother to me’.”
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