Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls.
Ps 110:1-2, 5-6, 9-10 R./ He keeps his covenant ever in mind.
Gospel: (Mk 10:17-27)
As Jesus was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honour your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth.” And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” At that saying his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
Reflection:
The rich young man in today’s gospel represents each one of us. Hence it is pertinent for us to make an introspection of our lives. The young man asks Jesus what he must do to attain everlasting life. Jesus answers by stating the Ten Commandments. The young man says that he has done all these things since his childhood. Gazing at him with love, Jesus says: “Go and sell what you have and give it to the poor... after that, come and follow me.” Further we read in the gospel, “His face fell and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.” Jesus then explains the dangers of riches and possessions and how they keep us from the Kingdom of God. We need to live the spirit of Jesus in simplicity and try to have a heartfilled desire to share what we have with the needy and the less fortunate in the society.