Daily Readings - Mon May 27 2024
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 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.