“We have given up everything and followed you”. It was as if Peter was attempting to highlight how much he and the disciples had sacrificed to follow Jesus. And it was true. They left home, relationships and occupation that had been a part of their daily life in response to the call of Jesus. Jesus did not say “well done, thank you, Peter.” Instead Jesus explained that the sacrifices all of them made were worth it. They will be paid with gifts beyond their imagination not in the worldly sense but through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and the promise of eternal life. It may seem at times that we are less fortunate than many others but Jesus says we will be called the greatest in the Kingdom. Sacrifice and persecutions will not become a heavy burden for us because we face them not with our strength but by the power of the Holy Spirit who strengthens and directs us. We will become purified and transformed to the likeness of Jesus.

PRAYER: Abba Father, help us to remember that as gold becomes pure when it is burnt in the fire, sacrifice and persecutions make us holy. Amen.