Sunday, October 12, 2003
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: Wis 7:7-11

I prayed and understanding was given to me;
I asked earnestly and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepters and thrones
and I considered wealth as nothing compared with her.
I preferred her to any jewel of inestimable value, since gold beside her is nothing but a few grains of sand, and silver but mud.
I loved her more than wealth and beauty and even preferred her
to light, because her radiance never dies.
She brought with her all other good things,
untold riches in her hands.

2nd Reading: Heb 4:12-13

The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword. It pierces to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and judges the intentions and thoughts of the heart. All creation is transparent to Him; everything is uncovered and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we render account.

Gospel: Mk 10:17-30 or 10:17-27

Just as Jesus was setting out on his journey again, a man ran up, knelt before him and asked, "Good Master, what must I do to have eternal life?"

Jesus answered, "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 cheat, honor your father and mother." The man replied, "I have obeyed all these commandments since my childhood."

Then Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him and he said, "For you, one thing is lacking. Go, sell what you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and follow me." On hearing these words, his face fell and he went away sorrowful for he was a man of great wealth.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were shocked at these words, but Jesus insisted, "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 one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."

They were more astonished than ever and wondered, "Who, then, can be saved?" Jesus looked steadily at them and said, "For humans it is impossible, but not for God; all things are possible with God."

Peter spoke up and said, "We have given up everything to follow you." Jesus answered, "Truly, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters, or father or mother, or children, or lands for my sake and for the Gospel, who will not receive his reward. I say to you: even in the midst of persecution he will receive a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and lands in the present time and in the world to come eternal life."

Commentary

"How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God." A rich young man wanted to know the way to inherit eternal life and Jesus told him that he lacks one thing: To sell what he has, and give to the poor and then follow Jesus. But the young man went away sorrowful for he could not part from his possessions. Wealth in the Old Testament is considered a great blessing from God while poverty is seen as a curse or punishment for some sins. In the New Testament, Jesus made it very clear that the Kingdom of God is the pearl of great price and the great treasure buried in the field. A disciple should first seek the Kingdom of God, it is the only absolute. To choose wealth over the Kingdom of God is great foolishness.

Read also: • Gospel Reflections by Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R.
          • Biblical Commentaries fro Diario Biblico

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