Not all rewards are fleeting

This may come as a surprise to some, but most of us are motivated by rewards.  When our children are good or do good things we usually give them some type of material reward, such as sweets, toys, or other simple items.  How many of us were thrilled in elementary school  to receive a gold star on a spelling test, or a maybe even a voucher for an ice cream cone at the local Baskin Robbins?

Even as we get out of school and enter the workplace, we still love it when we are rewarded with bonuses, paid time off, or other tangible incentives for doing just a little bit better than is expected. 

As we grow in wisdom (hopefully) we realize that these are not the rewards that matter. As adults, love, reassurance, realization that our families are healthy and happy, and an inner peace are some of the rewards that matter.

I think Peter was displaying this very human tendency when he asked Jesus how they (we) would be rewarded for following Him. (Mark 10:28-31)  Little did Peter know that one by one most of the apostles would experience martyrdom.

Promises of eternity, and endless friendship with God in the Holy Trinity, and all the saints and angels, are still difficult for us as humans to realize, but that's where our faith and trust come in. We are already experiencing eternity and God always holds us in the palm of His hand. What more could we ask?