Daily Readings - Mon Feb 28 2022

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has regenerated us into a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead⁴unto an incorruptible and undefiled and unfading inheritance, which is reserved for you in heaven⁵By the power of God, you are guarded through faith for a salvation which is ready to be revealed in the end time⁶In this, you should exult, if now, for a brief time, it is necessary to be made sorrowful by various trials⁷so that the testing of your faith, which is much more precious than gold tested by fire, may be found in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ⁸For though you have not seen him, you love him. In him also, though you do not see him, you now believe. And in believing, you shall exult with an inexpressible and glorious joy⁹returning with the goal of your faith, the salvation of souls

Mark

Chapter 10

¹⁷And when he had departed on the way, a certain one, running up and kneeling before him, asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do, so that I may secure eternal life?¹⁸But Jesus said to him, "Why call me good? No one is good except the one God¹⁹You know the precepts: "Do not commit adultery. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not speak false testimony. Do not deceive. Honor your father and mother.²⁰But in response, he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth.²¹Then Jesus, gazing at him, loved him, and he said to him: "One thing is lacking to you. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.²²But he went away grieving, having been greatly saddened by the word. For he had many possessions²³And Jesus, looking around, said to his disciples, "How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of God!²⁴And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus, answering again, said to them: "Little sons, how difficult it is for those who trust in money to enter into the kingdom of God²⁵It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for the rich to enter into the kingdom of God.²⁶And they wondered even more, saying among themselves, "Who, then, can be saved?²⁷And Jesus, gazing at them, said: "With men it is impossible; but not with God. For with God all things are possible.

Sermon

In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of faith and trust in God. The first reading from 1 Peter reminds us that our faith is a living hope, born from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It encourages us to endure trials with joy, knowing that our inheritance in heaven is incorruptible. This passage emphasizes perseverance and hope, urging us to trust in God's plan despite life's challenges. The Gospel from Mark presents a rich young man who seeks eternal life. Jesus challenges him to move beyond outward obedience to the commandments, asking him to detach from his wealth. This encounter highlights the difficulty of entering the kingdom of God when we are attached to material possessions. It teaches us that true faith requires trust in God's providence over worldly security. Together, these readings remind us that faith is not just about enduring trials but also about trusting God more than our possessions. In daily life, this means facing challenges with hope and letting go of attachments that hinder our relationship with God. The moral lesson is clear: true life comes from God, not from our circumstances or possessions. Let us trust in His plan and find joy in our faith, knowing that with God, all things are possible.