Liturgy Alive, Models of Celebrations

1 Pt 1:3 –9; Ps 111:1– 2, 5 –6, 9 and 10c; Mk 10:17–27

Daily Gospel

First Reading: 1 Pt 1:3 –9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance
that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven
for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through
faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final
time. In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you
may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness
of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable
even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory,
and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have
not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him
now yet you believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable
and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of faith, the salvation
of your souls.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 111:1– 2, 5 –6, 9 and 10c

R./ The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights.
R./ The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

He has given food to those who fear him;
he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
He has made known to his people the power of his works,
giving them the inheritance of the nations.
R./ The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

He has sent deliverance to his people;
he has ratified his covenant forever;
holy and awesome is his name.
His praise endures forever.
R./ The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

Gospel Reading Introduction
The young man of the Gospel is proud, perhaps a bit pharisaical, to have observed the commandments since his childhood. But Jesus asks more: for the kingdom of God one must be willing to follow Jesus absolutely and give up everything else for it. Jesus' offer is too demanding for him to be accepted. The young man was not willing to pay the price. Are we always willing to pay it fully?

Gospel Reading: Mk 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.”

Commentary

How ironic that the possessions and riches that were the cause of such joy for the rich young man are now the source of his sorrow. The reason? They keep him from the adventure of a lifetime. They keep him from following the Lord.

Jesus identifies the knot that is tied around that young man's heart, and he wants us to be aware of anything that might be keeping us from following him wholeheartedly. Money and material possessions are important in our lives, yet we must guard against them becoming too important. Simplicity of life is the path that leads to holiness.

General Intercessions

- For those in the Church who proclaim to us the wisdom of the Word of God, that they themselves may first live it and share their experience with us, we pray:

- For parents and educators, that they may challenge the young to live for things that matter; and for the young, that idealism and generosity may keep guiding their lives, we pray:

- For all of us, that we may be deeply aware that by the grace of God we have the strength to answer the invitation of the Lord, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

God our Father,
in these humble signs of bread and wine
we will soon recognize the presence
of your Son Jesus Christ in our midst.
May he give us eyes and hearts of faith
to recognize his real presence also
in all who are poor
and do not count in this world.
Make us small and poor enough
to know that we owe to the poor
what we owe to Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

God our Father,
in this Eucharist we have encountered
your Son Jesus Christ.
Let him give us the poverty of heart
to follow him wherever he calls us.
We may have few material things
to sell and give to the poor.
Make us aware of all the riches
of mind and heart, of patience and love
that we can share
and help us to do so wholeheartedly and without regret,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Usually an encounter with Jesus changes a person. But one can also refuse, like the rich man of the Gospel. May we have encounters with him that change us. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.