Gospel Way of Life

First Reading: Wis 7:7-11

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.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17

Second Reading: Heb 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.

Gospel: Mk 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."

Reflection:

Mark Vertido

Following Jesus is not an easy task. It takes a heart and a determined will to follow Christ in everything. Today’s Gospel shows our tendency to be inconsistent to our faith. The rich man himself cannot accept the invitation of Christ because of its consequences that would change his life. It is really difficult at times to change one’s lifestyle in just a snap. The process may be difficult but Christ invites us more and more to follow the Gospel way of life.

Many holy men and women throughout the ages were inspired by the message of today’s Gospel. One of which is Saint Francis of Assisi, whom I consider as my favorite Saint. Let me talk about his life since every October 4 we celebrate his memorial.

If there was a man who would have followed Jesus in renouncing material possessions and the world, it would be Francis of Assisi. Radically, Francis renounced all forms of materialism and solely depended on God’s Providence. Slowly, Francis attracted followers who would like to live the Gospel way of life of chastity, poverty and obedience – the Jesus Way. Today, they are collectively known as the Franciscan family with numerous branches throughout the world.

I, myself, have been greatly influenced by St. Francis since my younger years (it is then not amazing that he is called the most loved Saint of all times). That influenced went as far as trying to be a Secular Franciscan but I needed to discontinue because of school. Some would say that the life such of St. Francis is a crazy one but nothing has changed. The call of Jesus in the Gospel does not change. And in fact, we are called to be more obedient to Christ as materialism increases in this world which causes great individualism among people.

For more than five months now, I am living here in Metro Manila. From the province where I had experienced simplicity of life, suddenly I am witnessing how materialism and individualism corrupt the values of the people especially the young. It is good to note that the Gospel passage this Sunday from Mark is also found in both Matthew and Luke’s Gospel. And according to Matthew, this rich man in the Gospel is a young person.

It saddens me to observe among many students, selfishness and lack of initiative to respond quickly to the plea of our brethren. We might see some on television helping and so but that is not the real story. The real story is inside the schools. It is not believable that students could not give anything to other people. It is no wonder that even solidarity for social advocacies are not even entertained. And much more, many students do not even give importance to their education. What is happening to them?

Jesus says that it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God and it is easier for the camel to pass through the eye of a needle. It is wrong to think that to be rich is bad. Richness is a blessing from God Himself and He contradicts Himself if He will forbid riches to people. Jesus instructs us to use wisely our riches for the good of others. We do not need to take hold of our riches and keep it for ourselves forever. If we are selfish, we are closing our palms to receive greater blessings from God. And there is no greater blessing than to receive the promise of entering the kingdom of God. If we close our hands, we are also denying God to guide us to His kingdom.

Applying the Gospel in our life, I am reminded of a quote saying, “Live simply that others may simply live.” This affirms what the Gospel tells us to be. Let us not be bothered by our riches rather let us be bothered how to live according to God’s will. Our life is not measured by material things or achievements which are likened to our breath, vanished by the blow of the wind. God wants us to live in simplicity so that the riches we have may be shared to others.

During the Year of Faith, let us live out what it means to be followers of Christ. To be a Christian means to be obedient to the will of Christ. The Blessed Mother is always the perfect example for obedience to the will of God. Living life to the fullest does not mean to live all its pleasures, but to walk with our own sufferings and the sufferings of others. That is life living the Gospel. “From Gospel to life, and life back to the Gospel.”

Commitment: Open your arms to the needy and live life according to the Gospel.

Prayer

Loving Father, help us to become Your true disciples. Give us determination and will to accomplish the unique plans that You have set for us. Teach us to live the Gospel way of life and to respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters. May we become dependent to Your Divine Providence rather than to material things. Inspired by Your Word, may we live simply that others may simply live. Amen.