Reading
Matthew 19:27-29
27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
Comment
Faced with the refusal of the rich young man to leave everything to follow Jesus (Mt 19:21), Peter highlights his generosity and that of the apostles and with a direct question asks what reward they will be entitled to. Jesus does not take him back for this, but makes a promise that attests to the even greater generosity on the part of God.
The "new creation" (v. 28) is literally the "new generation" (Gr. Palingenesia), a term that occurs only in this passage of the Gospel of Matthew - meaning regeneration in the kingdom of God - and in the letter of Titus ( Tit 3: 5), indicating spiritual rebirth through baptism. The new creation could refer to the period following the resurrection, when the twelve will rule the whole of Israel, that is, the church of Jesus. The kingdom of God is not only the eschatological and cosmic event awaited by the Jews on the day of judgment, but also the royal sovereignty of God who makes himself present to the world in Jesus; in fact he begins his preaching by announcing that "the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Mt 4:17).
Judging (Gr. Krino) can also be understood in the sense of governing (cf. Jg 15:20; 16:31; Ps 2:10). However, since in this case it is related to the time when "the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne" it is more likely that what is promised to the twelve is that they will join Jesus in judging the people of Israel .
According to other passages of the New Testament all believers will be called to participate in Christ's judgment on the world (Mt 25,21; Rom 16,20; 1 Cor 6,2; Ap 2,26-27; 3,21).
Since God is not indebted to anyone, whoever has left home, or relatives, or property, to put himself at the service of the needs of the kingdom will find the affection of his brothers and sisters in faith and riches superior to the goods that can be seen.
Only those who have found wisdom in Christ can judge all things with right discernment. To taste true life, we must know how to recognize what is destined for sterility and death, to seek in God, hidden behind all appearances, the one who alone can quiet our hearts.
Prayer
Open our eyes, Lord, so that we can seek you and find you in everything and praise the generosity of your providence. Amen.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
