Gospel
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.”
Reflection
I think after reading this Gospel it is easy to become discouraged. I know I felt that way myself reading the words..."Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me...How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God! 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". Jesus is asking for a lot and admitting how difficult it will be to enter into His kingdom. Even the disciples, overwhelmed at this, asked "Then who can be saved?”. Honestly, isn’t that the very question we find ourselves asking as well? However, Jesus's response is impactful and one of hope as He says, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God”. Is that not a relief to hear?
I think this Gospel was a good one to read and reflect on before the Lenten season. It takes doing hard things to create discipline and growth and what better time to practice and put forth these habits than during Lent. Lent is a time of preparation, a season where we practice letting go whether through fasting, giving, or prayer, so we can follow Christ more closely. The rich man struggled to part with his possessions, but what are we holding onto that keeps us from following Jesus? Lent gives us the opportunity to grow in discipline and faith, reminding us that while we cannot do it alone, with God, all things are possible.
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