Daily Readings - Sun Oct 14 2018
Hebrews
12For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.13And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Mark
17And as he 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?"18And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'"20And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth."21And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."22Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.23And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!"24And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."26And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?"27Jesus looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God."28Peter began to say to him, "See, we have left everything and followed you."29Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel,30who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the true nature of wealth and wisdom. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom reminds us that true wisdom surpasses all material riches. It speaks of wisdom as a divine gift that brings light, understanding, and countless blessings. The author describes wisdom as more precious than gold or silver, emphasizing that all good things come through her. This passage calls us to value spiritual wealth over earthly treasures.
The second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews shifts our focus to the power of God’s Word. It describes the Word as living and active, capable of discerning the deepest thoughts and intentions of the heart. This passage reminds us that nothing is hidden from God’s sight. Just as wisdom is a divine gift, so too is the Word of God a powerful tool for discernment and transformation. Together, these readings encourage us to seek spiritual riches and to trust in God’s insight into our lives.
In the Gospel, Mark presents us with the story of the rich young man who asks Jesus how to attain eternal life. Jesus challenges him to let go of his possessions and follow Him, emphasizing that wealth can be an obstacle to entering the kingdom of God. This encounter reminds us that true discipleship requires detachment from material goods and a willingness to trust in God’s providence. The moral lesson here is clear: our hearts must not be bound by earthly riches, for it is only through surrender and faith that we can fully follow Christ. Let us reflect on our own attachments and ask ourselves: what is it that we hold onto too tightly? May we, like the disciples, place our trust in God, knowing that with Him, all things are possible.