Homily for Tuesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Gospel recounts Peter's declaration to Jesus, "We have left everything and followed you." Peter and the others sacrificed a great deal to stay with Jesus, leading them to question whether their commitment was truly worth it. Similarly, we have also answered His call, although our sacrifices may not be as drastic as those of the first disciples who abandoned their livelihoods and families for an uncertain future. In moments of uncertainty, we may find ourselves asking, "Is this struggle to live by the Gospel every day worth the effort?"

The clear answer is, "Yes, it is worth the effort." Jesus assures us that when we give of ourselves for His sake, we will gain much more than we give up. We will experience a new sense of family that extends beyond our blood relatives. We will find ourselves journeying alongside others who, like us, strive to live the Christian way. We will feel the warmth of the Church, which is the community of the Lord's followers. This community includes not only those of us still on our journey but also all who have passed beyond this life, including the saints and the "great cloud of witnesses."