Daily Readings - Mon May 27 2024
1 Peter
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Mark
17And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.20And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.21Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.22And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.23And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!24And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.26And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that invite us to reflect deeply on our faith and commitment to following Christ. The first reading from 1 Peter reminds us of the hope we have in Christ, a hope that transcends the trials and challenges of this life. Peter encourages us to endure these trials with joy, knowing that our faith is being purified and will ultimately lead to salvation. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel presents us with the story of the rich young man who approaches Jesus seeking eternal life. Jesus challenges him to let go of his possessions and follow Him, but the man, attached to his wealth, walks away sorrowfully. Jesus then remarks on how difficult it is for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God, emphasizing that true salvation is possible only through God’s power.
These readings are deeply connected. Peter’s letter speaks to the universal Christian experience of living in hope despite trials, while Mark’s Gospel provides a specific example of what it means to follow Christ wholeheartedly. The rich young man represents all of us who may be attached to the comforts and securities of this world. Jesus’ words are not a condemnation of wealth itself but a call to recognize that true treasure lies in heaven, not on earth. The challenge for us is to examine our own attachments and to trust in God’s providence, knowing that He alone can bring about our salvation.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: What are the “possessions” in our lives that prevent us from fully following Christ? It may not be wealth, but perhaps comfort, fear, or pride. Let us strive to live with detachment, trusting in God’s plan and finding joy in the hope of eternal life. May we, like the early Christians, endure trials with faith and perseverance, knowing that our ultimate inheritance is reserved for us in heaven. Let us also remember that salvation is not something we can achieve on our own but is a gift that comes from God’s grace and power.