Eternal life, a gift so divine,
Not earned by deeds, but by love's design.
God's precious gift, freely given,
A ticket to our home in heaven.
Jesus guides us, helps us see,
Our position before God, what we ought to be.
The Law we keep, the standards we meet,
Are more than actions, not just a feat.
Wealth and possessions, they may abound,
But in Christ alone, true riches are found.
The challenge is real, the cost is high,
To follow Jesus, our wealth we deny.
Difficulties and challenges, they may come,
But with Jesus, the victory is won.
For with God, all things are possible,
His power and love, truly unstoppable.
REFLECTION:
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23)
Eternal life is a gift from God, not something that can be earned through good deeds. Jesus helps us to consider our position before God. Our relationship to the Law is more focused on outward actions, keeping the Law and meeting the standard of God from our perspective. This is significant because it illustrates the challenge of prioritizing wealth and material possessions over following Jesus. Despite the difficulties and challenges, Jesus reassures us that everything is possible with God.
Dear Lord Jesus,
We acknowledge that eternal life is a precious gift from God, not something that can be earned through our deeds, but bestowed by Your grace.
Help us to understand our position before God, to realize that our relationship to the Law goes beyond outward actions.
We strive to keep the Law, to meet God's standards, but we know that it is not by our righteousness, but by Yours, that we are saved. We recognize the challenge of prioritizing wealth and material possessions over following You, Help us to choose You above all else, to lay our treasures in heaven.
Despite the difficulties and challenges we face, You reassure us that everything is possible with God. Strengthen our faith, Lord, and help us to rely on Your promises. May we always trust in Your unfailing love and infinite power.
In Your Holy Name, we pray,
Amen.
Pericope:
IV: The Full Revelation of the Mystery
THE RICH MAN
Mark 10:17-31
Gospel | Mark 10:17-27
Gospel Acclamation
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
17 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?” 18 Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 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.” 20 He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” 21 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.” 22 At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 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! 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.” 26 They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.
Background:
Mark 10:17-27, often referred to as the story of the Rich Young Ruler, is a passage that takes place as Jesus was setting out on a journey. A man runs up to Him, kneels before Him, and asks Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do so that I may inherit eternal life?". This event occurs after Jesus and the disciples have left Capernaum (Mark 9:33) and traveled to the area on the other side of the Jordan River from Judea (Mark 10:1). This is Perea, which, along with Galilee, is ruled by Herod Antipas.
The man who approaches Jesus is described as having great wealth. Jesus’ response to the man’s question is to remind him of the commandments. When the man asserts that he has kept all these commandments from his youth, Jesus, looking at him with love, tells him that he lacks one thing: he must sell all he possesses, give to the poor, and then he will have treasure in heaven. Then he should come and follow Jesus.
However, the man is saddened by this instruction and leaves grieving, for he owned much property. Jesus then remarks to His disciples about the difficulty for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God.
This passage is significant because it illustrates the challenge of prioritizing wealth and material possessions over following Jesus. It also emphasizes the concept of eternal life as a gift from God, not something that can be earned through good deeds.
Learning Lessons:
Mark 10:17-27, the story of the Rich Young Ruler, offers several profound lessons for believers:
The Importance of the Right Question: The rich young ruler asks Jesus about eternal life. This is a question that is asked in many different ways: How can we be saved? How can we enter the Kingdom of God? How can we have everlasting life? It’s the most important question that anyone can ever ask.
Understanding Our Position Before God: Jesus helps the man to consider his position before a Holy God. The man’s relationship to the Law was focused on outward actions. He had kept the Law and met the standard of God from his perspective.
The Call and Cost of Discipleship: Jesus calls the man to follow Him, but there was one thing keeping him from truly following - his riches. This teaches us about the challenge of prioritizing wealth and material possessions over following Jesus.
The Love of Jesus for Sinful Men: Despite the man’s self-reliance and sinfulness, Jesus loved him. This is good news: Jesus loves sinners.
The Difficulty of Wealth: Jesus remarks about the difficulty for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God. This emphasizes the concept of eternal life as a gift from God, not something that can be earned through good deeds.
Everything is Possible with God: Despite the difficulties and challenges, Jesus reassures His disciples that everything is possible with God.
These lessons remind us of the importance of asking the right questions, understanding our position before God, the cost of discipleship, the love of Jesus for sinners, the difficulty of wealth, and the omnipotence of God. They encourage us to live a life of faith, reverence, and gratitude towards God. (Conversation with Copilot)
