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.
