2024/10/13 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

- Jeremy Kiolbassa, Director of Liturgy & Music

“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

This Sunday, Mark’s Gospel presents a profound encounter between Jesus and a wealthy young man. The passage begins with the young man approaching Jesus and asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. The man has a deep yearning for spiritual fulfillment, but the conversation quickly reveals the challenges of material wealth in the pursuit of faith.

In Jesus' response, he first affirms the young man's adherence to the commandments. However, Jesus also addresses a deeper issue: the man’s attachment to his possessions. He instructs him to sell all that he has and give the proceeds to the poor. The man is shocked and walks away in sorrow. Jesus’ striking command reminds us that to follow Christ we must devote ourselves entirely. This moment also invites us to reflect on our own attachment to worldly things (money, success, people); do they lead us to Christ? If not, are we ready to give them up?

Jesus' subsequent teaching to his disciples emphasizes this point. The metaphor of the camel passing through the eye of a needle illustrates the impossibility of relying solely on the material for salvation. This invites a deeper contemplation on the values we prioritize and the notion that true security and fulfillment lie not in material wealth but in a relationship with God.

The passage concludes with a promise of rewards for those who sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. Jesus reassures us that though we may face challenges, the sacrifices made for his sake will yield abundant blessings. No material goods are sweeter than salvation. This reflection encourages us to evaluate our own lives, considering what we might need to relinquish in order to embrace the fullness of life in Christ. We must ask ourselves, are we ready to answer this call?