In the Spirit of Feria VI infra Hebdomadam IV post Epiphaniam
In today’s readings, we find a profound meditation on the calling and reward of those who forsake all for God. Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6 praises Moses as a man of holiness, chosen by God and set apart among men, while Matthew 19:27-29 presents Our Lord’s promise to those who, like the Apostles, abandon everything to follow Him. These passages lead us to contemplate the grandeur of divine election and the immense rewards reserved for those who respond with faith.
The Election of Moses: A Figure of Christ and His Priests
The sacred author of Ecclesiasticus exalts Moses as one “beloved of God and men,” a man who “found grace in the sight of all flesh” (Ecclus. 45:1). The Church Fathers, particularly St. Gregory of Nyssa, often see in Moses a prefiguration of Christ. Like Christ, Moses was chosen from among his people to be their mediator, lawgiver, and deliverer. St. Ambrose comments that Moses’ radiance after encountering God on Mount Sinai foreshadowed the divine light of Christ, who is the very splendor of the Father (cf. De Spiritu Sancto II.9.95).
Moses was also a figure of the priesthood, set apart to stand before God and lead His people in worship. St. John Chrysostom, in his Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew, observes that just as Moses was uniquely prepared by God for his mission, so too are the priests of the New Covenant called to an exalted dignity, set apart for the service of the altar and the salvation of souls. The passage’s reference to Moses being consecrated “in the faith and meekness of his heart” (Ecclus. 45:4) reminds us that true greatness in God’s service is found not in human power, but in humility and fidelity to His will.
The Apostles’ Renunciation: A Call to Detachment
In the Gospel, St. Peter, speaking on behalf of the disciples, asks Our Lord, “Behold, we have left all things and have followed Thee: what therefore shall we have?” (Matt. 19:27). Christ responds with a solemn promise:
“You who have followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit on the seat of His majesty, you also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matt. 19:28).
The Fathers see in this passage not only the particular role of the Apostles in the governance of the Church but also the universal call to radical discipleship. St. Augustine, in his Sermon 87 on the New Testament, teaches that this promise extends to all who renounce worldly attachments for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. He explains that the “hundredfold” reward signifies the spiritual fruitfulness of those who give up earthly goods—whether possessions, family ties, or personal ambitions—to embrace the life of grace.
St. Jerome, in his Commentary on Matthew, notes that while not all are called to leave their homes and families physically, all are called to an interior detachment:
“He who keeps possessions and yet is prepared to relinquish them for Christ’s sake has already left all things in heart and spirit.”
This echoes the wisdom of the Desert Fathers, who remind us that true renunciation begins in the soul. The Christian life demands that we hold nothing dearer than Christ Himself.
Our Reward: Union with Christ in Glory
The reward promised by Christ is not merely future but begins even now. St. John Chrysostom encourages us to see how the Apostles, though leaving everything, received far more in return—spiritual kinship, divine wisdom, and an intimate share in Christ’s own mission. Similarly, St. Bernard of Clairvaux teaches that even in this life, the soul who renounces worldly distractions for God experiences the sweetness of divine intimacy, which is worth more than all the riches of the earth.
Yet the full fulfillment of Christ’s promise will come in the “regeneration” (Matt. 19:28), when the world is renewed, and those who have followed Him will reign with Him in glory. St. Cyprian exhorts the faithful to fix their eyes on this eternal reward, saying:
“Let us, beloved brethren, with undivided hearts, prepare for the divine promises and the heavenly kingdom. Let us with our whole strength and all our resolution, spend ourselves in the service of God” (De Mortalitate, 26).
Conclusion: The Path of Moses and the Apostles
Both Moses and the Apostles exemplify what it means to be chosen by God. Moses, called from the wilderness, became the great lawgiver and intercessor of Israel. The Apostles, called from their nets, became the foundation stones of the Church. Their lives were marked by renunciation and suffering, but also by divine favor and ultimate glory.
As we meditate on these readings, let us ask for the grace to follow in their footsteps. May we, too, learn the meekness of Moses, the boldness of Peter, and the detachment of all who leave everything for Christ. Then, like them, we shall one day hear those blessed words:
“Come, ye blessed of My Father, possess the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matt. 25:34).