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When we are troubled with temptation and evil thoughts, then we see clearly the great need we have of God, since without God we can do nothing good… No one is so good that he is immune to temptation; we will never [in this life] be entirely free of it.
- Thomas Kempis (1380-1471), Of the Imitation
of Christ
(Where/how have you experienced temptation lately? Pray the grace to hold fast to your values and principles.) |
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1 PT 1:3-9; PS 111:1-2, 5-6, 9 AND 10C
MK 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." USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture |
"A man came running up, knelt down before Him and asked, 'Good Teacher, what must I do to share in everlasting life?' " —Mark 10:17
The young rich man was brought up by good God-fearing parents. He had kept all the commandments from his youth (Mk 10:20). He only needed to do one more thing. But he had to do that, or he would never enter God's kingdom. "Jesus looked at him with
love and told him, 'There is one thing more you must do. Go and sell what you have and give to the poor; you will then have treasure in heaven. After that, come and follow Me.' At these words the man's face fell. He went away sad, for he had many possessions" (Mk 10:21-22).
The young man apparently missed out on God's kingdom although he was so good and did everything but one thing. His only sin was that
he wouldn't give everything. The disciples "were completely overwhelmed at this, and exclaimed to one another, 'Then who can be saved?' " (Mk 10:26)
Yes, the Christian life is giving everything; 99% won't do. It costs everything to buy the precious pearl of God's kingdom (Mt 13:46). The first and most basic commandment is: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all
your strength, and with all your mind" (Lk 10:27).
The crucified Jesus gave all. Can we give any less?
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for taking all of me.
Promise: "Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, He Who
in His great mercy gave us new birth." —1 Pt 1:3
Presentation Ministries
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Abandonment to Divine Providence - by Jean-Pierre de Caussade Section
III: The Work of Our Sanctification
If we fulfill our part God will do the rest. Grace being bestowed only on this condition the marvels it effects are beyond human comprehension. For neither ear has heard nor eye seen, nor has it entered the mind what things God has planned in His omniscience, determined in His will, and carried out by His power in the souls given up entirely to Him.
The passive part of sanctity is still more easy since it only consists in accepting that which we very often have no power to prevent, and in suffering lovingly, that is to say with sweetness and consolation, those things that too often cause weariness and disgust. Once more I repeat, in this consists sanctity. This is the grain of mustard seed which is the smallest of all the seeds, the fruits of which can neither be recognised nor gathered. It is the drachma of the Gospel, the treasure that
none discover because they suppose it to be too far away to be sought. Do not ask me how this treasure can be found. It is no secret. The treasure is everywhere, it is offered to us at all times and wherever we may be. All creatures, both friends and enemies pour it out with prodigality, and it flows like a fountain through every faculty of body and soul even to the very centre of our hearts. If we open our mouths they will be filled. The divine activity permeates the whole universe, it pervades
every creature; wherever they are it is there; it goes before them, with them, and it follows them; all they have to do is to let the waves bear them on.
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