The gospel for Monday of the eighth week in Ordinary Time is taken from Mark 10th, chapter 1727. 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.
The enthusiasm of the young man running up to Jesus, hoping to get an A for the work that he had done, to receive all the gifts that God is offering. And Jesus, in a very loving way, points out that he’s misunderstood something so essential. No one saves themselves. No one is the source of their salvation. Salvation is a gift given by God to those who are humble enough and grounded enough to receive it as the essence of God’s gift of life. That’s what he longs for us to have.
But we don’t get it by earning it. Please pause and reflect upon these images and then I will close with a prayer. Closing prayer. Father, you teach us over and over to be receptive to all that you long to share with us. Your greatest gift is your spirit, the Holy Spirit, dwelling in us. And it brings us such wisdom.
So bless us with receptivity, trust, openness. Not to figuring it out, but to receive the answer. That’s who God is. And we ask this in Jesus name. Amen.
