A reading from the holy Gospel Mk 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 com".
REFLECTION:
"give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven"
Are we possessive people? Some closets have over 10 pairs of shoes and varied colored hats, skirts and pants.
Do we give clothes away when they still look new or fresh or when they are down to bare threads? Do we keep all sorts of jewelry though we have not worn for awhile? Do we donate to charity on a regular basis?
Everyone I know wants to go to heaven. The ten commandments are a basic roadmap of love. The rich young man was respectful and knelt and though he was doing all he knew, something was missing especially after listening to His teachings.
Poverty reminds us that God expects more from us. It is love when we give to others. But God desires a deeper radical love - to totally give of self with complete abandonment to God, complete trust that He will care for us.
Many grow up thinking that material wealth is a sign of God's blessings. And those who possess wealth, do feel that they are extremely blessed.
Are we being called to have an absolute love? We have PAPA JOE that collects food for the starving and malnourished children. Do we donate on a regular basis? PAPA FOR LIFE asks of our time once a month to pray at Planned Parenthood. Daily we pray the PAPA Prayer for priests.
Can we do more? Yes, there is always room for more. Time is our biggest possession. Volunteer to pack the boxes for Venezuela or donate more food on a regular basis.
The contrite heart, in the giving of alms, makes amends to God for all that he has done wrong.
~St Augustine
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