Last Will Be First

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” Matthew 19:23-30

Great Creator, you have blessed us all

with fertile earth and loving families

places of great beauty and holy sites

strong hearts to carry us through crisis.

The world may not see the beauty we see

nor appreciate the sacrifices we have made

but you know the hearts of all the people

and how possessions are not your blessings.

You told your disciples about your reign

a sacred time and place of sacrificial love

that all the displaced and forlorn outcasts

are at the heart of the world you love.

Help us to be sacrificial in our daily life

let us be those who honor your reign here

by making room for the stranger and alien

by joyfully giving up so that all may thrive. Amen.