We Need Hope

28th Sunday In Ordinary Time
11 October 2009



We are God’s people, the sheep of his flock: come, let us worship him, alleluia.


First reading Wisdom 7:7-11
I prayed, and understanding was given me;
I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.
I esteemed her more than sceptres and thrones;
compared with her, I held riches as nothing.
I reckoned no priceless stone to be her peer,
for compared with her, all gold is a pinch of sand,
and beside her silver ranks as mud.
I loved her more than health or beauty,
preferred her to the light,
since her radiance never sleeps.
In her company all good things came to me,
at her hands riches not to be numbered.

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 89:12-17

Second reading Hebrews 4:12-13
The word of God is something alive and active: it cuts like any double-edged sword but more finely: it can slip through the place where the soul is divided from the spirit, or joints from the marrow; it can judge the secret emotions and thoughts. No created thing can hide from him; everything is uncovered and open to the eyes of the one to whom we must give account of ourselves.

Gospel Mark 10:17-30
Jesus was setting out on a journey when a man ran up, knelt before him and put this question to him, ‘Good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You must not kill; You must not commit adultery; You must not steal; You must not bring false witness; You must not defraud; Honour your father and mother.’ And he said to him, ‘Master, I have kept all these from my earliest days.’ Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him, and he said, ‘There is one thing you lack. Go and sell everything you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ But his face fell at these words and he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth.

Jesus looked round and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!’ The disciples were astounded by these words, but Jesus insisted, ‘My children,’ he said to them ‘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 a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were more astonished than ever. ‘In that case’ they said to one another ‘who can be saved?’ Jesus gazed at them. ‘For men’ he said ‘it is impossible, but not for God: because everything is possible for God.’

Peter took this up. ‘What about us?’ he asked him. ‘We have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not be repaid a hundred times over, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land – not without persecutions – now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life.’


Reflection
By Fidji Rivera - Sarmiento

Why do bad things happen to good people? And why do bad people tend to be richer financially in life? This used to be my perennial question each time I read or watch the news. I’m pretty sure you share the same wonderings with me, as I’ve also come across people who ask the same question.

And one of the answers to that question is right here in front us in today’s Gospel. The reward to our persecutions and perseverance is eternal life in the age to come. It is like being requested to mow your ailing neighbor’s small front lawn and be given a brand spanking new Lexus IS C convertible as a reward. Isn’t that mind-boggling?

So with this in mind, we may be serene that there is something to look forward to after all the heartbreaks, the trials, and the problems that we may have right now. As Christians who struggle each day to live the Word of God, we are like gold that is tested in fire. Human as we are, there may be days that we may despair and just surrender, but Jesus said it Himself – All things are possible for God. It is not as if Madame Auring predicted that, it was Jesus who said it!

As for the question why bad people become wealthier? Jesus said that they have already received their reward here on earth. Sorry.


***

Happy Birthday to my sister, Dr. Anais Rivera!









Dear Jesus,

Thank you for giving us hope. In this time and age, we are more often in despair and true hope has been like finding a needle in a haystack. We continually pray that You comfort our hearts each day and that we may always look forward to an eternal life with You. Help us to remember that our heartaches are merely temporary and that You will take care of us. May Your resurrection forever remind us that everything’s going to be alright. Amen.


Next week on God-speak
Wanted : Servant Leader