Daily Readings - Mon Feb 28 2022
1 Peter
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you,5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.7These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Mark
17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"18"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone.19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."22At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard 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 man to enter the kingdom of God."26The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"27Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
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.