在後的，要成為在先的

“Racers cross finish line in 5K run for Navy Chief birthday” by Official U.S. Navy Page. CC BY 2.0

雖然伯多祿只剩下很少個人財產，但他仍稱那是他的一切；即使很少的東西也能令我們滿足，誰若只擁有很少的財物是受祝福的。伯多祿說「看，我們捨棄了一切，而跟隨了你。」彷彿在說「我們已按祢的吩咐做了。祢會給我們什麼賞報？」耶穌給了一個答案：「耶穌回答說：『我實在告訴你們：人為了我，為了福音，而捨棄了房屋、或兄弟、或姊妹、或母親、或父親、或兒女、或田地』」。祂這樣說不是叫我們離開我們的父親，不幫助他們，或跟妻子分開；祂指示我們要喜愛天主的光榮多於世上的事物。祂也暗示了迫害。有很多情況是父親慫恿兒子或是妻子叫丈夫不要敬愛天主；耶穌說，當他們有這樣的要求，就不要當他們是妻子或父親，正如聖保祿所言「但若不信主的一方要離去，就由他離去」。

從宗徒身上我們可引證這是對的；很多婦女為照顧他們的食物和衣服忙碌。宗徒們也有很多父親和母親，就是那些愛他們的人。為伯多祿來說，他離開了自己的房屋，之後卻得了所有信徒的居所——教會。他們要受迫害，但聖人就是因為迫害而擁有一切；那些捨棄一切跟隨耶穌的人由於迫害和磨難，在世界上是最後的，但他們將要因為對天主的盼望而成為在先的。

Mark 10:28-31

Although Peter had left but few things, still he calls these his all; for even a few things keep us by the bond of affection, so that he shall be beatified who leaves a few things. And because it is not sufficient to have left all, Peter adds that which makes up perfection, "and have followed you". As if he said, We have done what You have commanded. What reward therefore will You give us? But while Peter asks only concerning the disciples, our Lord makes a general answer; "Jesus answered and said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands". But in saying this, He does not mean that we should leave our fathers, without helping them, or that we should separate ourselves from our wives; but He instructs us to prefer the glory of God to the things of this world. But He seems here to intimate also the persecutions. For since there were many instances both of fathers urging their sons to ungodliness, and wives their husbands; when they command these things, says Jesus, let them be neither wives nor parents, even as Paul likewise said, "But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart."

See also how this is the case with the Apostles; for many women busied themselves about their food and their clothing, and ministered to them. In like manner the Apostles had many fathers and mothers, that is, persons who loved them; as Peter, for instance, leaving one house, had afterwards the houses of all the disciples. And what is more wonderful, they are to be persecuted and oppressed, for it is with persecutions that the Saints are to possess all things, because "But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first". For the Pharisees who were first became the last; but those who left all and followed Christ were last in this world through tribulation and persecutions, but shall be first by the hope which is in God.

References:
Homily 64 on Matthew (St. John Chrysostom)
On the Gospel of Mark (St. Bede the Venerable)
Explanations on the New Testament (St. Theophylact of Ochrid)