Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 143
Lectionary: 143
I prayed, and prudence was given me;
I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepter and throne,
and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,
nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;
because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand,
and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.
Beyond health and comeliness I loved her,
and I chose to have her rather than the light,
because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.
Yet all good things together came to me in her company,
and countless riches at her hands.
I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepter and throne,
and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,
nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;
because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand,
and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.
Beyond health and comeliness I loved her,
and I chose to have her rather than the light,
because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.
Yet all good things together came to me in her company,
and countless riches at her hands.
Responsorial
Psalm PS 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17
R. (14) Fill us
with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Make us glad, for the days when you afflicted us,
for the years when we saw evil.
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Let your work be seen by your servants
and your glory by their children;
and may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Make us glad, for the days when you afflicted us,
for the years when we saw evil.
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Let your work be seen by your servants
and your glory by their children;
and may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Reading 2HEB 4:12-13
Brothers and sisters:
Indeed the word of God is living and effective,
sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow,
and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
No creature is concealed from him,
but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him
to whom we must render an account.
Indeed the word of God is living and effective,
sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow,
and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
No creature is concealed from him,
but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him
to whom we must render an account.
AlleluiaMT 5:3
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 10:17-30
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
knelt down before him, and asked him,
"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother."
He replied and said to him,
"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
"How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
"Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said,
"For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God."
Peter began to say to him,
"We have given up everything and followed you."
Jesus 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
for my sake and for the sake of the gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters
and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."
knelt down before him, and asked him,
"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother."
He replied and said to him,
"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
"How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
"Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said,
"For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God."
Peter began to say to him,
"We have given up everything and followed you."
Jesus 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
for my sake and for the sake of the gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters
and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
knelt down before him, and asked him,
"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother."
He replied and said to him,
"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
"How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
"Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said,
"For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God."
knelt down before him, and asked him,
"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother."
He replied and said to him,
"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
"How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
"Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said,
"For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God."
Meditation: "Give - and you will have treasure in
heaven"
What gives hope and satisfaction to our desire for
happiness and security? A young man who had the best the world could offer -
wealth and security - came to Jesus because he lacked one thing (Mark
10:17-27). He wanted the kind of lasting peace and happiness which money could
not buy him. The answer he got, however, was not what he was looking for. He
protested that he kept all the commandments - but Jesus spoke to the trouble in
his heart. One thing kept him from giving himself whole-heartedly to God. While
he lacked nothing in material goods, he was nonetheless possessive of what he
had. He placed his hope and security in what he possessed. So when Jesus
challenged him to make God his one true possession and treasure, he became
sad.
Misplaced hope and treasure
Why did he go away from Jesus with great sorrow and sadness rather than with joy? His treasure and his hope for happiness were misplaced. Jesus challenged the young man because his heart was possessive. He was afraid to give to others for fear that he would lose what he had gained. He sought happiness and security in what he possessed rather than in who he could love and serve and give himself in undivided devotion.
Why did he go away from Jesus with great sorrow and sadness rather than with joy? His treasure and his hope for happiness were misplaced. Jesus challenged the young man because his heart was possessive. He was afraid to give to others for fear that he would lose what he had gained. He sought happiness and security in what he possessed rather than in who he could love and serve and give himself in undivided devotion.
The greatest joy possible
Why does Jesus tell his disciples to "sell all" for the treasure of his kingdom? Treasure has a special connection to the heart, the place of desire and longing, the place of will and focus. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. The Lord himself is the greatest treasure we can have. Giving up everything else to have the Lord as our treasure is not sorrowful, but the greatest joy. [See Jesus' parable about the treasure hidden in a field in Matthew 13:44.] Selling all that we have could mean many different things - letting go of attachments, friendships, influences, jobs, entertainments, styles of life - really anything that might stand in the way of our loving God first and foremost in our lives and giving him the best we can with our time, resources, gifts, and service.
Why does Jesus tell his disciples to "sell all" for the treasure of his kingdom? Treasure has a special connection to the heart, the place of desire and longing, the place of will and focus. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. The Lord himself is the greatest treasure we can have. Giving up everything else to have the Lord as our treasure is not sorrowful, but the greatest joy. [See Jesus' parable about the treasure hidden in a field in Matthew 13:44.] Selling all that we have could mean many different things - letting go of attachments, friendships, influences, jobs, entertainments, styles of life - really anything that might stand in the way of our loving God first and foremost in our lives and giving him the best we can with our time, resources, gifts, and service.
The priceless treasure of God's kingdom
Those who are generous towards God and towards their neighbor find that they cannot outmatch God in his generosity towards us. God blesses us with the priceless treasures of his kingdom - freedom from fear and the griping power of sin, selfishness and pride which block his love and grace in our lives. Freedom from loneliness, isolation and rejection which keep his children from living together in love, peace, and unity. And freedom from hopelessness, despair, and disillusionment which blind our vision of God's power to heal every hurt, bind every wound, and remove every blemish which mar the image of God within us. God offers us treasure which money cannot buy. He alone can truly satisfy the deepest longing and desires of our heart. Are you willing to part with anything that might keep you from seeking true joy with Jesus?
Those who are generous towards God and towards their neighbor find that they cannot outmatch God in his generosity towards us. God blesses us with the priceless treasures of his kingdom - freedom from fear and the griping power of sin, selfishness and pride which block his love and grace in our lives. Freedom from loneliness, isolation and rejection which keep his children from living together in love, peace, and unity. And freedom from hopelessness, despair, and disillusionment which blind our vision of God's power to heal every hurt, bind every wound, and remove every blemish which mar the image of God within us. God offers us treasure which money cannot buy. He alone can truly satisfy the deepest longing and desires of our heart. Are you willing to part with anything that might keep you from seeking true joy with Jesus?
Why does Jesus issue such a strong warning to the rich
(as well as to the rest of us who desire to be rich)? Was he really against
wealth? We know that Jesus was not opposed to wealth per se, nor
was he opposed to the wealthy. He had many friends who were well-to-do,
including some notorious tax collectors! One even became an apostle! Jesus'
warning reiterated the teaching of the Old Testament wisdom: Better is
a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his
ways (Proverbs 28:6; see also Psalm 37:16). Do not wear
yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist (Proverbs 23:4).
Where do we find true security?
Jesus seems to say that it is nearly impossible for the rich to live as citizens of God's kingdom. The camel was regarded as the largest animal in Palestine. The "eye of the needle" could be interpreted quite literally or it could figuratively describe the narrow and low gate of the city walls which was used by travelers when the larger public gate was locked after dark. A normal sized man had to "lower" himself to enter that gate. A camel would literally have to knell and crawl through it.
Jesus seems to say that it is nearly impossible for the rich to live as citizens of God's kingdom. The camel was regarded as the largest animal in Palestine. The "eye of the needle" could be interpreted quite literally or it could figuratively describe the narrow and low gate of the city walls which was used by travelers when the larger public gate was locked after dark. A normal sized man had to "lower" himself to enter that gate. A camel would literally have to knell and crawl through it.
Why is Jesus so cautious about wealth? Wealth
can make us falsely independent. The church at Laodicea was warned about their
attitude towards wealth and a false sense of security: "For you say, I am
rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing" (Revelation 3:17). Wealth can
also lead us into hurtful desires and selfishness (see 1 Timothy 6:9-10). Look
at the lesson Jesus gave about the rich man and his sons who refused to aid the
poor man Lazarus (see Luke 16:19ff). They also neglected to serve God.
We loose what we keep - we gain what we give away
Right after a wealthy young man refused to follow Jesus, Peter, somewhat crudely wanted to know what he and the other disciples would get out of it since they had freely accepted Jesus' offer to follow him unconditionally (Mark 10:28-30). Jesus spoke with utter honesty: Those who left all for him would receive a hundred times more now, even in this life, as well as unending life in the age to come.
Right after a wealthy young man refused to follow Jesus, Peter, somewhat crudely wanted to know what he and the other disciples would get out of it since they had freely accepted Jesus' offer to follow him unconditionally (Mark 10:28-30). Jesus spoke with utter honesty: Those who left all for him would receive a hundred times more now, even in this life, as well as unending life in the age to come.
The Gospel presents us with a paradox: we lose what we
keep, and we gain what we give away. When we lose our lives for Jesus Christ,
we gain a priceless treasure and an inheritance which lasts forever. Whatever
we give to God comes back a hundredfold. Generosity flows from a heart full of
gratitude for the abundant mercy and grace which God grants. And generosity
will be amply repaid, both in this life and in the life to come (Proverbs
3:9-10, Luke 6:38).
What's the best investment you can make with your life
now and the future? Jesus offers us an incomparable treasure which no money can
buy and no thief can steal. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest
treasure. Material wealth will shackle us to this earth unless we guard our
hearts and set our treasure on God and his everlasting kingdom. Where is your
treasure?
Jesus did not hesitate to tell his disciples that they
can expect both blessing from God and persecution from the world which is
opposed to God and his ways. We should neither be surprise nor fear those who
try to intimidate us or oppose us when we take a stand for God's kingdom of
truth and righteousness. No earthly reward or treasure can outmatch the joy and
bliss of knowing God's love, mercy, and peace and the joy of knowing that our
names are written in heaven where we will dwell with God forever. Do you know the
joy of the Lord and the treasure he has stored up for us in heaven?
"Lord Jesus, you have captured our hearts and
opened to us the treasures of heaven. May you always be my treasure and delight
and may nothing else keep me from giving you my all."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Seek the life that endures, by
Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"The Lord said to a certain young man, 'If you
would enter life, keep the commandments' (Matthew
19:17; Mark 10:17; Luke 18:18). He did not say 'If you
would have life' but 'If you would enter life,' defining that life as eternal
life. Let us first consider then the love of this life. For this life is loved,
whatever its quality; and however troubled it is, however wretched, people are
afraid to end it. Hence we should see, we should consider, how much eternal
life is to be loved, when this miserable life that must at some time be ended
is so loved. Consider, brothers, how much that life is to be loved when it is a
life you never end. You love this life, where you work so much, run, are busy,
pant. In this busy life the obligations can scarcely be counted: sowing,
plowing, working new land, sailing, grinding, cooking, weaving. And after all this
hard work your life comes to an end. Look at what you suffer in this wretched
life that you so love. And do you think that you will always live and never
die? Temples, rocks, marbles, all reinforced by iron and lead, still fall. And
a person thinks that he will never die? Learn therefore, brothers, to seek
eternal life, when you will not endure these things but will reign with God
forever." (excerpt from SERMON 84.1.9)
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle B
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
1st Reading - Wisdom 7:7-11
The Book of Wisdom, written in the 1st century B.C. is known to us only in the Greek. It is generally held certain that Greek was the original language. For this reason it is not contained in the Hebrew Bible; nor is it in the Protestant Bible, having been discarded by Martin Luther around A.D. 1520. Because it is known that Jesus and the apostles used the Greek (Septuagint) translation of the Old Testament, Wisdom has always been considered canonical by the Catholic Church. In fact, the Muratorian Fragment (A.D. 155-200), the earliest known list of writings approved as Scripture for use in the Church at Rome, and which gives a fairly orderly treatment to the titles contained in the New Testament, includes Wisdom as a New Testament book.
The book is divided into 3 parts:
1) Wisdom & Human Destiny (chapters 1-5),
2) Solomon & The Quest For Wisdom (chapters 6-9), and 3) Wisdom At Work In History (chapters 10-19).
Today’s reading comes from the second part and describes Solomon’s (or at least the author’s who borrowed his name) praying and the riches that came to him.
7[] I prayed,
Solomon’s prayer is given in 1 Kings 3:7-9 and 2 Chronicles 1:8-10. The author’s version of this prayer is given in Wisdom 9.
and prudence was given me;
Prudence is understanding. The author develops a parallelism: Prayer – pleaded; prudence – wisdom. Solomon preferred wisdom over power, riches, health, comeliness, and light. Solomon prayed for wisdom and it came to him along with all these good things.
I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me. 8 I preferred her to scepter and throne, And deemed riches nothing in comparison with her, 9 nor did I liken any priceless gem to her; Because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand, and before her, silver is to be accounted mire. 10 Beyond health and comeliness I loved her, And I chose to have her rather than the light, because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.
Wisdom never ceases to exist (see Wisdom 7:29-30).
11 Yet all good things together came to me in her company, and countless riches at her hands[.]
2nd Reading - Hebrews 4:12-13
Last week we started our study of the Book of Hebrews, as did our Episcopal and Lutheran brothers and sisters; they however, heard more verses (we had 3, the Episcopalians 10 with an optional 8 more, the Lutherans our 3 with an optional 7 more). This week we study Chapter 4, verses 12 & 13 while the Episcopalians and Lutherans study Chapter 3, verses 1 through 6 which discuss how Jesus, the faithful son, was superior to Moses. Not to worry though, next week they will get our reading for this week in addition to our reading for next week and we’ll all be caught up again.
Our reading today is about God’s warnings based on Israel’s infidelity and tells us to persevere for the word of God judges rightly. Since nothing is unknown to it; it is light, those of the present generation will be judged worthy or unfit to enter God’s rest. This is the particular judgment.
12 Indeed, the word of God
This refers back to verses 7 through 11. When you hear the word of God, crisis comes. The word of God is His judgment, and you are judged by how well you have kept His covenant.
is living and effective,
This description is calculated to show what the word does: it produces life (Deuteronomy 32:47), it achieves its purpose (Isaiah 55:10-11). Although some commentators might see Jesus incarnate here, this interpretation is not necessary to understanding this passage.
sharper than any two-edged sword,
A two-edged sword cuts no matter which way you swing it. A common metaphor (Isaiah 49:2; Proverbs 5:4; Wisdom 18:16). Here we are talking about its power in respect to judgment, and the fact that you can’t escape it.
penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow,
The conception of man was that he was composed of body, soul, and spirit and like joints and marrow they are intimately connected. The statement that the Word is sharp enough to separate them is made to emphasize its penetrating power.
and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
The Word has a knowledge of human beings which only God has (Acts 1:24; 15:8).
13 No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
The Greek root of the word “naked and exposed” is related to the Greek noun for “neck”. This describes, in terms a soldier would understand, how vulnerable we all are when it comes time to be judged by God.
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
1st Reading - Wisdom 7:7-11
The Book of Wisdom, written in the 1st century B.C. is known to us only in the Greek. It is generally held certain that Greek was the original language. For this reason it is not contained in the Hebrew Bible; nor is it in the Protestant Bible, having been discarded by Martin Luther around A.D. 1520. Because it is known that Jesus and the apostles used the Greek (Septuagint) translation of the Old Testament, Wisdom has always been considered canonical by the Catholic Church. In fact, the Muratorian Fragment (A.D. 155-200), the earliest known list of writings approved as Scripture for use in the Church at Rome, and which gives a fairly orderly treatment to the titles contained in the New Testament, includes Wisdom as a New Testament book.
The book is divided into 3 parts:
1) Wisdom & Human Destiny (chapters 1-5),
2) Solomon & The Quest For Wisdom (chapters 6-9), and 3) Wisdom At Work In History (chapters 10-19).
Today’s reading comes from the second part and describes Solomon’s (or at least the author’s who borrowed his name) praying and the riches that came to him.
7[] I prayed,
Solomon’s prayer is given in 1 Kings 3:7-9 and 2 Chronicles 1:8-10. The author’s version of this prayer is given in Wisdom 9.
and prudence was given me;
Prudence is understanding. The author develops a parallelism: Prayer – pleaded; prudence – wisdom. Solomon preferred wisdom over power, riches, health, comeliness, and light. Solomon prayed for wisdom and it came to him along with all these good things.
I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me. 8 I preferred her to scepter and throne, And deemed riches nothing in comparison with her, 9 nor did I liken any priceless gem to her; Because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand, and before her, silver is to be accounted mire. 10 Beyond health and comeliness I loved her, And I chose to have her rather than the light, because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.
Wisdom never ceases to exist (see Wisdom 7:29-30).
11 Yet all good things together came to me in her company, and countless riches at her hands[.]
2nd Reading - Hebrews 4:12-13
Last week we started our study of the Book of Hebrews, as did our Episcopal and Lutheran brothers and sisters; they however, heard more verses (we had 3, the Episcopalians 10 with an optional 8 more, the Lutherans our 3 with an optional 7 more). This week we study Chapter 4, verses 12 & 13 while the Episcopalians and Lutherans study Chapter 3, verses 1 through 6 which discuss how Jesus, the faithful son, was superior to Moses. Not to worry though, next week they will get our reading for this week in addition to our reading for next week and we’ll all be caught up again.
Our reading today is about God’s warnings based on Israel’s infidelity and tells us to persevere for the word of God judges rightly. Since nothing is unknown to it; it is light, those of the present generation will be judged worthy or unfit to enter God’s rest. This is the particular judgment.
12 Indeed, the word of God
This refers back to verses 7 through 11. When you hear the word of God, crisis comes. The word of God is His judgment, and you are judged by how well you have kept His covenant.
is living and effective,
This description is calculated to show what the word does: it produces life (Deuteronomy 32:47), it achieves its purpose (Isaiah 55:10-11). Although some commentators might see Jesus incarnate here, this interpretation is not necessary to understanding this passage.
sharper than any two-edged sword,
A two-edged sword cuts no matter which way you swing it. A common metaphor (Isaiah 49:2; Proverbs 5:4; Wisdom 18:16). Here we are talking about its power in respect to judgment, and the fact that you can’t escape it.
penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow,
The conception of man was that he was composed of body, soul, and spirit and like joints and marrow they are intimately connected. The statement that the Word is sharp enough to separate them is made to emphasize its penetrating power.
and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
The Word has a knowledge of human beings which only God has (Acts 1:24; 15:8).
13 No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
The Greek root of the word “naked and exposed” is related to the Greek noun for “neck”. This describes, in terms a soldier would understand, how vulnerable we all are when it comes time to be judged by God.
Gospel - Mark 10:17-30
This week we conclude our study of Jesus’ second instruction on Christology and discipleship. Last week we heard His teaching on marriage and divorce, and also of His blessing of the children. We now hear Jesus’ teaching about riches. This teaching consists of three units on wealth and the kingdom:
1) The story of the rich man.
2) Jesus’ instruction to His disciples.
3) His teaching about rewards for giving up riches.
We will hear all three.
17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
Only at the end of this story (verse 20) do we learn that the man is wealthy. The parallel gospel story (Matthew 19:16-22) tells us the man was young.
knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher,
A rarely used form of address for a rabbi. Acknowledges Him as a teacher of the spiritual life.
what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
The kingdom of God
18 Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good?
Jesus is not rejecting the praise He has been offered, He wants to show the depth of this man’s words: He is good, not because He is a good man, but because He is God, who is goodness itself. The man has spoken the truth but he hasn’t gone far enough.
No one is good but God alone.
See Psalm 118:1-4; 1 Chronicles 16:34; 2 Chronicles 5:13; Ezra 3:11; Romans 7:18.
19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’”
Jesus then recites the second part of the Decalogue (the ten commandments); the part that deals with our relationships with each other (Exodus 20:12-17; Deuteronomy 5:16-21). “You shall not defraud” could be a restatement of “you shall not steal,” or it could be a reference to the 9th and 10th commandments which deal with coveting. If it is the latter case, He has addressed all seven commandments that are to govern our human relationships.
Jesus did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). The commandments are the very core of the Law and keeping them is necessary for attaining eternal life. Christ brings these commandments to fulfillment in a double sense. First, He helps us to discover their full implications for our lives. Second, His grace gives us strength to counter our evil inclinations, which stem from original sin. The best commentary on this passage is Matthew 19:17b “If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments” and Matthew 5:20 “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven”.
20 He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” 21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him
This love is based on the man’s genuine efforts and success at observing the commandments (verse 20).
and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing.
You are not far from God’s kingdom (see Mark 12:34 where Jesus praises the scribe).
Go, sell what you have, and give to (the) poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
In Judaism wealth was often taken as a sign of divine favor and there was an obligation to give alms to the poor. What makes this man’s case so hard is that he is to forego even the privilege of almsgiving for the sake of sharing in Jesus’ lifestyle of total dependence on God while proclaiming the coming of His kingdom. Jesus knows that this man has a generous heart. God calls everyone to holiness, but holiness is reached by different routes. It is up to every individual to take the necessary steps to discover which route God wants him to follow. It is not an absolute commandment for all to give everything away, but we are not to place obstacles in the way.
22 At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
These possessions were probably property ownership with the financial benefits which result. This points out the difficult choice which must be made by all – whether to cast aside the impediments, whatever they may be, and follow Jesus or not. The rich man asked the question, but Jesus’ answer was too hard for him.
“But the young man went away sad, so anyone can see how far he kept those commandments of the law. I think he spoke with more pride than truth when he answered that he had kept them” [Saint Augustine of Hippo (ca. A.D. 417), Letter to Hilarius (No. 157)].
“He did not follow. He just wanted a good teacher, but he questioned who the teacher was, and scorned the identity of the One who was teaching. ‘He went away sad,’ bound up in his desires. ‘He went away sad,’ carrying a great burden of possessiveness upon his shoulders” [Saint Augustine of Hippo (ca. A.D. 416), Homilies on the Gospel of John 34,8].
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
Again, the private instruction for the disciples
“How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
If the rich see their wealth as a reward from God, they have erected a barrier to full participation in God’s plan. In themselves material things are good; they are resources God has made available to people for their development in society. But, excessive attachment to things is what makes them an occasion to sin. The sin lies in “trusting” in them, as if they will solve all life’s problems, and turning one’s back on God. St. Paul calls covetousness, idolatry (Colossians 3:5). Christ excludes from the kingdom of heaven anyone who becomes so attached to riches that his life is geared around them. Or, more accurately, that person excludes himself.
24 The disciples were amazed at his words.
They are astonished. From childhood they have been taught that riches are a reward and Jesus has just told them they can become an impediment.
So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to pass through (the) eye of (a) needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
Tradition points to a literal interpretation rather than conjecture about a narrow gate in the city wall. There is a similar rabbinic proverb mentioning an elephant.
26 They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?”
Since nearly everyone has an inclination to be attached to material things, the disciples now see salvation as an impossible goal. No one can be saved if we rely on human resources. God’s grace makes everything possible. When we pray the Our Father we ask for our daily bread – not just a meal, but a Eucharistic meal which makes us part of God’s covenant family and gives us His grace.
“The rich man ‘went away sad,’ as you have heard, and the Lord says: ‘How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ At length the disciples became very sad when they heard this and they said: ‘If this is so, who then can be saved?’ Rich and poor, listen to Christ: I am speaking to God’s people. Most of you are poor, but you too must listen carefully to understand. And you had best listen even more intently if you glory in your poverty. Beware of pride, lest the humble rich surpass you. Beware of wickedness, lest the pious rich confound you. Beware of drunkenness, lest the sober excel you” [Saint Caesar of Arles (ca. A.D. 542), Sermons 153(2)].
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God.”
Jesus quotes Genesis 18:14 which recalls God’s power to fulfill His promise to Abraham (see also Luke 1:3).
28 Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.”
Peter, as spokesman for all the disciples points out that they have done what the rich man couldn’t. Behind this statement is the question: “What is the reward for accepting the challenge of discipleship?”
29 Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you,
Here, Jesus answers the underlying question.
there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel 30 who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands,
Anyone who leaves behind his possessions will receive great rewards in this life.
with persecutions,
Opposition is part of the reward for giving things up out of love for Jesus. A Christian’s glory lies in becoming like the Son of God, sharing in His Cross so later we can share in His Glory (Romans 8:17b “if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him”) (2 Timothy 3:12 “all who want to live religiously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”).
and eternal life in the age to come.
Not only will we get rewards here on earth, we will gain our inheritance as children of God (Romans 8:17a “and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ”).
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church,
Picayune, MS http://www.scborromeo.org
TWENTY-EIGHTH
SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14
(Wisdom 7:7-11; Psalm 90; Hebrews 4:12-13)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14
(Wisdom 7:7-11; Psalm 90; Hebrews 4:12-13)
KEY VERSE: "Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven" (v.21).
TO KNOW: A rich man approached Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him that the answer could be found in the Mosaic Law, a reflection of God's righteousness. The man answered that he had kept the law all of his life. Jesus then invited him to take another step on his spiritual journey. By sharing his wealth with the poor, the man would be rewarded with even greater treasures in heaven. But the rich man was unable to part with his possessions. Saddened, he departed. Jesus warned his disciples that wealth could be an obstacle to the kingdom of God. Jesus' followers should not be so weighed down with material goods that they were unable to pass through heaven's gate.
TO LOVE: What do I do to help the poor?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous with the gifts you have given to me.
Sunday 14
October 2018
Week IV Psalter. 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Wisdom 7:7-11. Psalm 89(90):12-17. Hebrews 4:12-13. Mark
10:17-30.
Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy! –
Psalm 89(90):12-17.
‘The word of God is something alive and active.’
Jesus responded to the young man: ‘No one is good but God
alone.’ God the Father was always at the centre of the life and work of Jesus,
the focus of his prayer life.
Jesus responded positively to the young man’s proclamation of
having kept the commandments by ‘looking steadily at him and loving him’. The
young man could not respond positively to Jesus’ request to sell everything he
had and give it to the poor. If the young man kept his eyes on Jesus’ love for
him, perhaps he would not have gone away sad. He lost sight of the relationship
that makes all things possible.
Saint Callistus I
Saint of the Day for October 14
(d. 223)
 |
| Statue of Pope Callistus I on the Saints portal | Northern transept of Our Lady cathedral of Reims, Marne, France | photo by Fab5669 |
Saint Callistus I’s Story
The most reliable information about this saint comes from his
enemy Saint Hippolytus, an early antipope, later a martyr for the Church.
A negative principle is used: If some worse things had happened, Hippolytus
would surely have mentioned them.
Callistus was a slave in the imperial Roman household. Put in
charge of the bank by his master, he lost the money deposited, fled, and was
caught. After serving time for a while, he was released to make some attempt to
recover the money. Apparently he carried his zeal too far, being arrested for
brawling in a Jewish synagogue. This time he was condemned to work in the mines
of Sardinia. Through the influence of the emperor’s mistress he was released
and went to live at Anzio.
After winning his freedom, Callistus was made superintendent of
the public Christian burial ground in Rome—still called the cemetery of
Saint Callistus—probably the first land owned by the Church. The pope
ordained him a deacon and made him his friend and adviser.
Callistus was elected pope by a majority vote of the clergy and
laity of Rome, and thereafter was bitterly attacked by the losing candidate,
Saint Hippolytus, who let himself be set up as the first antipope in the
history of the Church. The schism lasted about 18 years.
Hippolytus is venerated as a saint. He was banished during the
persecution of 235 and was reconciled to the Church. He died from his
sufferings in Sardinia. He attacked Callistus on two fronts—doctrine and
discipline. Hippolytus seems to have exaggerated the distinction between Father
and Son—almost making two gods—possibly because theological language had not
yet been refined. He also accused Callistus of being too lenient, for reasons
we may find surprising: 1) Callistus admitted to Holy Communion those who had
already done public penance for murder, adultery, and fornication; 2) he held
marriages between free women and slaves to be valid—contrary to Roman law; 3) he
authorized the ordination of men who had been married two or three times; 4) he
held that mortal sin was not a sufficient reason to depose a bishop; 5) he held
to a policy of leniency toward those who had temporarily denied their faith
during persecution.
Callistus was martyred during a local disturbance in Trastevere,
Rome, and is the first pope—except for Peter—to be commemorated as a martyr in
the earliest martyrology of the Church.
Reflection
The life of this man is another reminder that the course of
Church history, like that of true love, never did run smooth. The Church had
to—and still must—go through the agonizing struggle to state the mysteries of
the faith in language that, at the very least, sets up definite barriers to
error. On the disciplinary side, the Church had to preserve the mercy of Christ
against rigorism, while still upholding the gospel ideal of radical conversion
and self-discipline. Every pope—indeed every Christian—must walk the difficult
path between “reasonable” indulgence and “reasonable” rigorism.
LECTIO DIVINA: 28TH SUNDAY OF
ORDINARY TIME (B)
Lectio Divina:
Sunday, October 14, 2018
Jesus calls the rich young man
The hundredfold in this life, but with persecutions!
Mark 10:17-30
The hundredfold in this life, but with persecutions!
Mark 10:17-30
1. OPENING PRAYER
Lord Jesus, send Your Spirit to help us
to read the Scriptures as You read them to the disciples on the way to Emmaus.
In the light of the Word, written in the Bible, You helped them to discover the
presence of God in the disturbing events of Your sentence and death. Thus the
cross, that seemed to be the end of all hope, became for them the source of
life and of resurrection.
Create silence in us so that we may listen to Your voice in creation and in the scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May Your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, may experience the force of Your resurrection and witness to others that You are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of You, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed the Father to us and sent us Your Spirit. Amen.
Create silence in us so that we may listen to Your voice in creation and in the scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May Your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, may experience the force of Your resurrection and witness to others that You are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of You, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed the Father to us and sent us Your Spirit. Amen.
2. READING
a) A key to the reading:
• The Gospel of the 28th Sunday
of Ordinary Time tells the story of a young man who asks Jesus for the way to
eternal life. Jesus gives him an answer, but the young man cannot accept it
because he is very rich. Wealth gives a kind of security to people and they
have difficulty in giving up such security. Because such people are attached to
the advantages that their possessions bring, they worry about defending their
interests. The poor person does not have such worries and thus is freer. But
there are poor people with a rich mentality. They are poor, but not “poor in
spirit” (Mt 5:3). Not just wealth, but also the desire for wealth, can change
people and make them slaves to the goods of this world. Such people would find
it difficult to accept Jesus’ invitation: “Go and sell what you own and give the
money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow Me”
(Mk 10:21) Such people will not take the step suggested by Jesus. Am I able to
leave everything for the Kingdom?
• In our text, several people seek Jesus
to ask Him for advice: the rich young man, the disciples and Peter. In our
reading let us look at the preoccupations of each of these persons and at
Jesus’ reply to them.
b) A division of the text to help with
the reading:
Mark 10:17: The request of the one who
wishes to follow Jesus
Mark 10:18-19: Jesus’ surprising and demanding reply
Mark 10:20-21: The conversation between Jesus and the young man
Mark 10:22: The young man is alarmed and will not follow Jesus
Mark 10:23-27: The conversation between Jesus and His disciples concerning the rich entering the Kingdom
Mark 10:28: Peter’s question
Mark 10:29-30: Jesus’ reply
Mark 10:18-19: Jesus’ surprising and demanding reply
Mark 10:20-21: The conversation between Jesus and the young man
Mark 10:22: The young man is alarmed and will not follow Jesus
Mark 10:23-27: The conversation between Jesus and His disciples concerning the rich entering the Kingdom
Mark 10:28: Peter’s question
Mark 10:29-30: Jesus’ reply
c) Text:
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a
man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, "Good teacher, what must
I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answered him, "Why do you call
me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall
not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not
bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your
mother." He replied and said to him, "Teacher, all of these I have
observed from my youth." Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the
poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." At that
statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for those
who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at
his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, "Children, how hard it is
to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye
of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They
were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, "Then who can be
saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings it is impossible,
but not for God. All things are possible for God." Peter began to say to
him, "We have given up everything and followed you." Jesus 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 for my sake and for the sake
of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present
age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with
persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."
3. A MOMENT OF PRAYERFUL
SILENCE
so that the Word of God may penetrate
and enlighten our life.
4. SOME QUESTIONS
to help us in our personal reflection.
a) What touched you most in this text?
Why?
b) What worried the young man and what deceived him?
c) What does the following mean for us today: “Go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor”? Can we take this literally? What do you “own”? With so many poor in society today, how do you decide who to give to?
d) How do we understand the comparison between the needle and the camel?
e) How do we understand the hundredfold in this life, but with persecutions?
f) How do we understand and practice today Jesus’ suggestions to the rich young man?
b) What worried the young man and what deceived him?
c) What does the following mean for us today: “Go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor”? Can we take this literally? What do you “own”? With so many poor in society today, how do you decide who to give to?
d) How do we understand the comparison between the needle and the camel?
e) How do we understand the hundredfold in this life, but with persecutions?
f) How do we understand and practice today Jesus’ suggestions to the rich young man?
g) Jesus tells His disciples on His
mission to go without gold or silver or much of anything. What of those who
claim to be missionaries of Jesus, while enjoying their large estates, fancy
cars, and the fame from their positions?
5. FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO GO
DEEPER INTO THE THEME
a) The context of yesterday and of
today.
* This Sunday’s Gospel describes the
on-going conversion that, according to Jesus’ invitation, must take place in
our relationship with material goods. So as to understand fully the importance
of Jesus’ instructions, it is good to remember the wider context in which Mark
places these texts. Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem, where He will be
crucified (cf. Mk 8:27; 9:30,33; 10:1,17,32). He is about to give His life. He
knows that He soon will be killed, but does not recoil. He says, ‘The Son of
Man Himself came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a
ransom for many!’ (Mk 10:45) This attitude of fidelity and dedication to the
mission received from the Father makes it possible for Jesus to see what really
matters in life.
* Jesus’ suggestions are valid for all times, both for Jesus’ times and Mark’s times as well as for today in the 21st century. They are like mirrors that mirror back what is really important in life, yesterday and today: to start again, from the beginning, the building of the Kingdom, renewing human relationships on all levels, among ourselves and with God, as well as with material goods.
* Jesus’ suggestions are valid for all times, both for Jesus’ times and Mark’s times as well as for today in the 21st century. They are like mirrors that mirror back what is really important in life, yesterday and today: to start again, from the beginning, the building of the Kingdom, renewing human relationships on all levels, among ourselves and with God, as well as with material goods.
b) A commentary on the text:
Mark 10:17-19: The commandments
and eternal life
Someone comes and asks, “Good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Matthew’s Gospel says that it was a young man (Mt 19:20,22). Jesus replies rather harshly, “Why do you call Me good. No one is good but God alone!” Jesus deflects attention from Himself to God, since He wishes to do the Father’s will, so as to reveal the Father’s plan. Then Jesus says, “You know the commandments: you shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false witness, honor your father and mother”. The young man had asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. He wanted to live close to God! But Jesus only reminds him of the commandments that concern life close to the neighbor! He does not mention the first three commandments that talk of the relationship with God! For Jesus, we can only be in good stead with God if we are in good stead with the neighbor. We must not deceive ourselves. The gate that leads to God is our neighbor. There is no other!
Someone comes and asks, “Good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Matthew’s Gospel says that it was a young man (Mt 19:20,22). Jesus replies rather harshly, “Why do you call Me good. No one is good but God alone!” Jesus deflects attention from Himself to God, since He wishes to do the Father’s will, so as to reveal the Father’s plan. Then Jesus says, “You know the commandments: you shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false witness, honor your father and mother”. The young man had asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. He wanted to live close to God! But Jesus only reminds him of the commandments that concern life close to the neighbor! He does not mention the first three commandments that talk of the relationship with God! For Jesus, we can only be in good stead with God if we are in good stead with the neighbor. We must not deceive ourselves. The gate that leads to God is our neighbor. There is no other!
Mark 10:20: What is the use of
keeping the commandments?
The young man answers that he already had long observed the commandments. What follows is strange. The young man wanted to know the way to eternal life.Now, the way to eternal life was and still is to do God’s will as expressed in the commandments. This means that the young man observed the commandments without knowing why! He did not know that his practice of observing the commandments since his youth was the way to God, to eternal life. Many Catholics today do not know why they are Catholic. ”I was born in Italy, I was born in Ireland, so I am Catholic!” Just a habit!
The young man answers that he already had long observed the commandments. What follows is strange. The young man wanted to know the way to eternal life.Now, the way to eternal life was and still is to do God’s will as expressed in the commandments. This means that the young man observed the commandments without knowing why! He did not know that his practice of observing the commandments since his youth was the way to God, to eternal life. Many Catholics today do not know why they are Catholic. ”I was born in Italy, I was born in Ireland, so I am Catholic!” Just a habit!
Mark 10:21-22: Sharing goods
with the poor
Jesus looked steadily at him and He was filled with love for him and He said, “You need to do one thing more. Go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow Me!” Jesus does not judge the young man, does not criticize him, but seeks to help him take one more step in life. The conversion that Jesus asks for is an on-going one. The observance of the commandments is but the first step on a ladder that goes further and higher. Jesus asks for more! The observance of the commandments prepares us to be able to give ourselves completely to our neighbor. The Ten Commandments are the way to the perfect practice of the two commandments of love of God and of neighbor (Mk 12:29-31; Mt 7:12). Jesus asks a lot, but He asks it with much love. The young man does not accept Jesus’ invitation and goes away because “he was a man of great wealth”.
Jesus looked steadily at him and He was filled with love for him and He said, “You need to do one thing more. Go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow Me!” Jesus does not judge the young man, does not criticize him, but seeks to help him take one more step in life. The conversion that Jesus asks for is an on-going one. The observance of the commandments is but the first step on a ladder that goes further and higher. Jesus asks for more! The observance of the commandments prepares us to be able to give ourselves completely to our neighbor. The Ten Commandments are the way to the perfect practice of the two commandments of love of God and of neighbor (Mk 12:29-31; Mt 7:12). Jesus asks a lot, but He asks it with much love. The young man does not accept Jesus’ invitation and goes away because “he was a man of great wealth”.
Mark 10:23-27: The camel and the
eye of a needle
When the young man goes away, Jesus comments on his decision: How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! The disciples are astonished. Jesus repeats what He said and adds a proverb that was used then to say that something was humanly impossible. 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! Each nation has its expressions and proverbs that cannot be taken literally. For instance, in Brazil, to say that someone must not bother other people they say: “Go and take a bath!” If one takes this expression literally then one is deceived and is not aware of the message! The same may be said about the camel that has to go through the eye of a needle. Impossible!
The disciples are astonished by what Jesus says! This means that they had not understood Jesus’ answer to the rich young man: “Go and sell all you own, give the money to the poor, and come, follow Me!” The young man had observed the commandments without understanding why. Something similar was happening to the disciples. To follow Jesus, they had left everything (Mk 1:18.20), without understanding why they had left everything! If they had understood the why, they would not have been so astonished by Jesus’ demands. When wealth or the desire for wealth takes over the human heart and vision, then it becomes difficult to understand the meaning of life and of the Gospel. Only God can help such a person! “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God, because for God everything is possible.”
When Jesus says that it is almost impossible for “a rich man to enter the kingdom of God”, He is not referring in the first instance to entering heaven after death, but to entering the community around him. To this day, it is very difficult for a rich person to leave everything and enter into a small basic ecclesial community side by side with the poor, together with them, and so to follow Jesus.
When the young man goes away, Jesus comments on his decision: How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! The disciples are astonished. Jesus repeats what He said and adds a proverb that was used then to say that something was humanly impossible. 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! Each nation has its expressions and proverbs that cannot be taken literally. For instance, in Brazil, to say that someone must not bother other people they say: “Go and take a bath!” If one takes this expression literally then one is deceived and is not aware of the message! The same may be said about the camel that has to go through the eye of a needle. Impossible!
The disciples are astonished by what Jesus says! This means that they had not understood Jesus’ answer to the rich young man: “Go and sell all you own, give the money to the poor, and come, follow Me!” The young man had observed the commandments without understanding why. Something similar was happening to the disciples. To follow Jesus, they had left everything (Mk 1:18.20), without understanding why they had left everything! If they had understood the why, they would not have been so astonished by Jesus’ demands. When wealth or the desire for wealth takes over the human heart and vision, then it becomes difficult to understand the meaning of life and of the Gospel. Only God can help such a person! “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God, because for God everything is possible.”
When Jesus says that it is almost impossible for “a rich man to enter the kingdom of God”, He is not referring in the first instance to entering heaven after death, but to entering the community around him. To this day, it is very difficult for a rich person to leave everything and enter into a small basic ecclesial community side by side with the poor, together with them, and so to follow Jesus.
Mark 10:28-30: The conversation
between Jesus and Peter
Peter had understood that “to enter the kingdom of God” was the same thing as following Jesus in poverty. So he asks, “We have left everything and followed You. What then shall we get in return?” In spite of leaving everything, Peter still had the old mentality. He had not yet understood the meaning of service and gratuity. He and his companions left everything so as to have something in return: “What then shall we get in return?” Jesus’ reply is symbolic. He hints that they must not expect any return, any security, any promotion. They will receive a hundredfold, yes! But not without persecutions in this life! In the world to come they will have the eternal life of which the young man spoke. “In truth I tell you, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or land for My sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times as much, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land – and persecutions, too – now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life
Peter had understood that “to enter the kingdom of God” was the same thing as following Jesus in poverty. So he asks, “We have left everything and followed You. What then shall we get in return?” In spite of leaving everything, Peter still had the old mentality. He had not yet understood the meaning of service and gratuity. He and his companions left everything so as to have something in return: “What then shall we get in return?” Jesus’ reply is symbolic. He hints that they must not expect any return, any security, any promotion. They will receive a hundredfold, yes! But not without persecutions in this life! In the world to come they will have the eternal life of which the young man spoke. “In truth I tell you, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or land for My sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times as much, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land – and persecutions, too – now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life
c) Further information:
Jesus and the option for the poor
A double slavery marked the state of
people in Galilee at the time of Jesus: (i) The political slavery of Herod,
supported by the Roman Empire, that imposed a general organized system of
exploitation and repression; (ii) The slavery of the official religion, upheld
by the religious authorities of the time. Because of this, the family, the
community, the clan were disintegrating and most people lived excluded,
marginalized, with no fixed place, without a religion and without a society. To
fight this disintegration of the community and the family, there were several
movements, which, like Jesus, tried a new way of life and of living together in
community. Such were the Essenes, the Pharisees and, later, the Zealots, all of
whom lived in community. In Jesus’ community, however, there was something new
and different from the other two groups. This was the attitude towards the poor
and the excluded.
The community of Pharisees lived apart. The
word “Pharisee” means “separate”. They lived apart from the impure people.
Many Pharisees looked upon the people as ignorant and cursed (Jn 7:49), full of
sin (Jn 9:34). They learned nothing from the people (Jn 9:34). On the other
hand, Jesus and His community lived among the excluded, who were considered
impure: publicans, sinners, prostitutes and lepers (Mk 2:16; 1:41; Lk 7:37).
Jesus sees the richness and value they possess (Mt 11:25-26; Lk 21:1-4). He
proclaimed the poor happy because the Kingdom belongs to them (Lk 6:20; Mt
5:3). He defines His own mission as “proclaiming the Good News to the poor” (Lk
4: 18). He lives like the poor. He owns nothing, not even a stone to lay His
head upon (Lk 9:58). To those who wished to follow him he offered a choice: God
or mammon! (Mt 6:24). He tells them to make choices in favor of the poor! (Mk
10:21) The poverty that characterizes Jesus’ life and that of His disciples,
characterized also His mission. Contrary to other missionaries (Mt 23:15),
Jesus’ disciples could not carry anything with them, no gold, no silver, no two
tunics, no purse and no sandals (Mt 10:9-10). They had to trust in the
hospitality of others (Lk 9:4; 10:5-6). And if they were made welcome by the
people, they had to work like everyone else and live on what they earned (Lk
10:7-8). They had to look after the sick and needy (Lk 10:9; Mt 10:8). Then they
could say to people, “The Kingdom of God is very near to you” (Lk 10:9).
On the other hand, when it is a matter
of administering goods, what strikes us in Jesus’ parables is the seriousness
that He demands in the use of these goods (Mt 25:21,26; Lk 19: 22-23). Jesus
wants money to be at the service of life (Lk 16:9-13). For Jesus, poverty was
not synonymous with laziness and negligence. This different witness in favor of
the poor was what was missing in the popular movements of the times of the
Pharisees, Essenes and Zealots. In the Bible, every time a movement arises to
renew the Covenant, it begins by establishing once again the rights of the poor
and excluded. Without this, the Covenant is impossible. Thus did the prophets
and thus does Jesus. He denounces the old system that, in the name of God,
excluded the poor. Jesus proclaims a new beginning that, in the name of God,
gathers the excluded. This is the meaning and reason for the insertion of the
mission of the Jesus’ community in the midst of the poor. He dips into the
roots and inaugurates the New Covenant.
6. PRAYING WITH PSALM 15 (14)
God’s guest!
Yahweh, who can find a home in Your
tent,
who can dwell on Your holy mountain?
who can dwell on Your holy mountain?
Whoever lives blamelessly,
who acts uprightly,
who speaks the truth from the heart,
who keeps the tongue under control,
who does not wrong a comrade,
who casts no discredit on a neighbor,
who looks with scorn on the vile,
but honors those who fear Yahweh,
who stands by an oath at any cost,
who asks no interest on loans,
who takes no bribe to harm the innocent.
No one who so acts can ever be shaken.
who acts uprightly,
who speaks the truth from the heart,
who keeps the tongue under control,
who does not wrong a comrade,
who casts no discredit on a neighbor,
who looks with scorn on the vile,
but honors those who fear Yahweh,
who stands by an oath at any cost,
who asks no interest on loans,
who takes no bribe to harm the innocent.
No one who so acts can ever be shaken.
7. FINAL PRAYER
Lord Jesus, we thank You for the word
that has enabled us to understand better the will of the Father. May Your
Spirit enlighten our actions and grant us the strength to practice what Your
Word has revealed to us. May we, like Mary, Your mother, not only listen to but
also practice the Word. You who live and reign with the Father in the unity of
the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
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