
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 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 men it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God.”
REFLECTION; “Jesus, looking at him, loved him…” " give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven"
Ten years ago today my mother died. She was 88 and lived with us. She was widowed at the age of 55. We shopped, travelled, laughed and depended on each other . There was never a waiter that she met who at the end of our meal, knew about her and she about them. Likewise, the cleaning people in the hotels, always responded with kindness to the attention she gave them.
Elisa Sepulveda Martinez would strike up a conversation with everyone she met and always left a little bit of herself in their lives. My mother loved God, her family, and her church. I don't recall her ever speeding, but one Sunday when we took too long getting ready for church, she drove as we had never seen her drive, because she would not be late for Mass. She was very generous with her forgiveness, her kindness, her counsel and her love. She would "loan" money to the housekeeper, never get paid back, and then when asked again, she would "lend'" more money.
God looked at her and loved her-- she was smart but simple. She diverted her monies towards helping others, she supported people who had emotional and spiritual needs. Mom gave back to God what He had given her and He, in turn, gave her more. She never sought happiness nor security in her possessions.
Many lessons she taught me; unfortunately, I was a slow learner. I still can't crochet, knit, sew, decorate, or cook as well as she--but one thing I learned well from my mom --- all the possessions in the world, if they do not bring you to God, and if you don't have a desire or longing to have God as your treasure, then you are just living a life. My mom fully lived for God giving Him her time, gifts, and service. She served the PAPA way--by prayer, word and deed. (PWD)
Thank you, God, for my Mama.