“At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Amen, I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ Then Peter replied, ‘You know that we have left everything and followed you. What will we get in return?’ Jesus replied to them, ‘Amen, I say to you: when the world is made new and the Son of Man takes his seat on the throne of glory, you who have followed me will sit on twelve thrones and judge 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 sake will receive a hundredfold in return and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first now will be last then, and the last will be first.”
 

Letting go, leaving things behind and no longer looking back – that sounds like a new beginning, dynamism, transformation: values that are desirable in today’s world.
Everyone knows it: freeing oneself from a heavy burden can unleash new strength. The world’s crises must be met with something new, because the old has brought about the crisis. The slogan “We’ve always done it this way” no longer applies. Progress ends stagnation. It promises hope in times of hopelessness. The direction is clear: forward!
But is it enough just to look ahead? How visible is what is meant by ‘ahead’? And is the direction really clear if only the direction is indicated? What is the compass aligned with, the one that is supposed to guide us on this path of change?

One of Jesus’ closest friends, Peter, stands up on behalf of Jesus’ companions and asks about the reward for all the work they have done as fellow workers for Jesus’ cause. The assumption is that working for God and with Jesus must surely be particularly worthwhile. The cost was high for the men who followed him; they had to endure much rejection. Yet there is great concern: might the price be too high?

Jesus responds with a radical call to let go. He says clearly: “You are investing, and this investment is the right one. You are backing the right horse, and the return will be immense.” The right horse is faith and discipleship, a life of faith that has an outward impact and is reflected inwardly.

Jesus’ words on renunciation are about affirmation, but also about reorientation. They seem radical and, ultimately, downright absurd: money is of no help; and leaving father, mother, sisters and brothers sounds neither family-friendly nor truly feasible. We know from other New Testament texts, particularly regarding the figure of Peter, that he himself was married and had a home where Jesus liked to spend a great deal of time.

However, this is not about permanent ways of life outside family ties, nor is it about demonising money per se, but rather about acute situations in which one needs direction in life. They concern one’s own faith, which can sometimes be obscured, for example by the many demands placed upon one. Money, too, can obscure our view of the beauty of nature and the gift of life, because it supposedly makes everything for sale. Here, clarifications are initiated that are intended to establish freedoms:

Who am I?
What do I want?
Where am I going?
What do I believe?

Reflecting on the relationships in which people find themselves can be helpful in leaving the past behind and focusing on the new. Often, the expectations of others or economic considerations play a part in personal decisions, obscuring one’s sense of direction; they also influence freedom in faith.
The vision of faith that Jesus offers shapes one’s entire life: the Kingdom of Heaven. It is upon this that the value of one’s own life should be reoriented. It is therefore first and foremost looking upwards that offers orientation: self-reflection with an eye to the Creator and life after death.
Those who do not attach such great importance to money can more easily let go of it when it obscures their view of life, and use and apply it thoughtfully. Those who recognise networks of relationships can better understand and value their own perspectives when a new orientation is needed.

As for real life: incidentally, it will be Peter, of all people, who fails to repeat his confession of faith in Jesus in a situation that is precarious for him.

Aleksandra Brand