Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 10, 17-27
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
knelt down before him, and asked him,
“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother.”
He replied and said to him,
“Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
“You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
At that statement, his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
“How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the Kingdom of God!”
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
“Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
“Then who can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God.”
Seek eternal life
1. The commandments. They are part of the moral aspect of life, rules that must be obeyed out of love of God and of others. That implies giving up desires and whims, giving up things that don’t lead you to God. Therefore, to walk in peace it’s necessary to comply with the commandments, so don’t lie to yourself or to others. The truth, even if it hurts, gives you life and peace.
2. Look of love. Jesus looks at this young man with love, and He looks at all of us with love! Have you stopped to think of how God looks at you? You must be aware that when He looks at you, and you look at Him, you belong to Him and He to you. You contemplate Him and He also contemplates you with love. Love changes your look. God looks at you with love.
3. Go, sell what you have. Greed can keep you away from happiness. Don’t let your worries be about things that are outside of you, and don’t get caught up in material things. Strive to learn to be selfless in this life. You have much to give but you must learn to let go.
Remember that something good is on the way.
God bless you and guard you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
