Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
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October 8, 2021October 10, 2021
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wis 7:7-11
Heb 4:12-13
Mk 10:17-30 or 10:17-27
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: In the Old Testament, wealth was considered a sign of God’s favor. So imagine the rich young man’s surprise when he approached Jesus, only to find out that he would need to sell what he had and then give to the poor in order to follow Jesus. His face fell and he walked away. His demeanor highlights the fundamental error of equating what we have, and what we do, with salvation – of relying on earthly things, rather than God, for our deepest comfort and security. In contrast, the Book of Wisdom speaks of the richness and worth of divine wisdom over that of any precious gem or gold. We understand that divine wisdom to be manifested in the person of Jesus Christ. Therefore, true wisdom means having faith in Jesus Christ rather than in our own efforts and whatever we might have earned in our lifetime. Otherwise, we are like a camel trying to squeeze through the eye of a needle. Jesus truly offers us the only way. I like to think that the young man came around eventually. After all, as Jesus says, “all things are possible for God.” As we reflect, we can ask Jesus what we need to “let go of” to turn our sights, our minds, and our lives over to God, knowing that following his will is the surest path to the Kingdom.
GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT
GO: Just a few days ago, we celebrated the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The behavior of the rich young man in today’s Gospel – daring, enthusiastic, confident – brings the young Francis to mind. Born into wealth, he relished his carefree lifestyle and sought to become a knight. His dreams of glory, however, quickly became a nightmare as his comrades fell and he was imprisoned in a dank cell for a year. After his release, he fell seriously ill, and God spoke to him. He cast aside the trappings of wealth, choosing instead to seek God’s will in all things. His example invites us to pray about our priorities: What things or attitudes get in the way of our relationship with God and one another? What is the Lord asking of us and how can we respond? How can we give witness to our belief that all things are possible with God?
ACTION: Perhaps try a “consumption fast” for the next couple of weeks, purchasing only what you need – food and other necessities. Use time and energy spent shopping to deepen your relationship with God and others through practices such as Eucharistic adoration, confession, visiting an elderly relative, or writing/calling an old friend.
