Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: October 13, 2024

Date: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  Mark 10:17-30 or 10:17-27

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."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel account from Mark for today is that of Jesus’ encounter with the rich young man and the subsequent conversations with the disciples concerning the rewards for those who suffer for the sake of the gospel. The point isn’t that possessions or wealth is evil, rather the point is our human desire over our spiritual welfare.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

What do I value most? Is love of my LORD and life in the LORD at the top?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You desire life for us, life in abundance. You give us life itself and You call us to live that life in You, with You, through You and for You. You sent your only begotten Son to dwell among us and for love of You to selflessly surrender His life to redeem us. Through His teachings, He revealed your great love for us. Through His example, He revealed love lived. Send your Spirit to strengthen our love and resolve to live as the daughters and sons You created us to be and the disciples He calls us to be. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.