[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Hebrews 4:12-13

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“The word of God is … sharper than any two-edged sword.” (Hebrews 4:12)

What a vivid image! God’s word is razor sharp, able to cut through our innermost thoughts. It can expose the inner motives and desires of our hearts. Most of us would cringe at the thought of such a weapon. So it’s good to know that this isn’t the whole picture.

If we want a fuller picture, we need to look at today’s Gospel reading. A wealthy man asks Jesus how he can gain eternal life. Jesus recounts the commandments, and the man is sure he has kept them. What is he still missing? This is when Mark gives us a vital detail: Jesus looked at him, “loved him,” and told him to give his money to the poor and then come follow him (Mark 10:21).

It’s this look of love that cut through the man’s confusion and exposed his real self. Jesus saw his sincerity, but also saw the “one thing” that stood in his way: he was too attached to his wealth (Mark 10:21). Jesus’ “look” wasn’t one of harsh scrutiny. It was an inviting look. It was a warm and compas­sionate look that saw the man’s strengths and weaknesses and offered him the grace to become the disciple he wanted to be.

It’s unfortunate that the rich man “went away sad” (Mark 10:22). But you don’t have to fol­low his footsteps! Every day, Jesus, the living Word of God, looks on you with the same penetrating gaze. He sees everything in you—the good, the bad, and the ugly—and he loves you intensely.

So take a moment now to let Jesus search you. As you do, you’ll discover that he sees so much goodness in your heart—goodness that you take for granted or didn’t even know was there. Of course he sees areas that need to change. But he is so happy with everything else that he is more than eager to help you make those changes.

“Lord Jesus, nothing in me is hidden from you. Thank you for looking on me with such love!”

Wisdom 7:7-11; Psalm 90:12-17; Mark 10:17-30

 

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Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

1. The first reading prays for prudence and wisdom. Prudence is not fear, or timidity. It is the ability to direct our conduct in accordance with our judgment—to know what is really good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it. Why do you find that there are times when your actions are not aligned with what you know to be correct? Discuss what steps you can take to improve coordination between your judgment and your actions?

2. Wisdom, which is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, enables us to know God and His will for us. The author of the Book of Wisdom says that it is more valuable then a throne, riches, gold, silver, health, and comeliness. Why would he make such a drastic claim? What area(s) of your life do you need prayers for an increase in the gift of wisdom. If you are in a small group, ask the other members to pray for you.

3. In the responsorial Psalm, we hear these words, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we gain wisdom of heart” (Psalm 90:12). Why do you think numbering our days aright is tied to wisdom? We also hear the psalmist ask to be filled with the Lord’s kindness so that “we may shout for joy and gladness all our days” (90:14). What can you do to open yourself more to the Lord’s kindness so you can express your thankfulness with greater joy?

4. The second reading tells us that God’s word is “living and effective,” and so finely tuned an instrument it can discern the very thoughts of our heart. How do you use God’s word, the Scripture, to help form your thoughts and direct your actions? How can you go even deeper in studying and applying Scripture to your daily life?

5. In the Gospel, Jesus’ admonition against riches also applies to all of those things in our lives that have a hold on us and distract us from loving and serving God. What can you do to lessen the hold “things” have over you and increase the hold God has over you? Jesus also went on to say that whatever we give up for him and the Gospel, he would give even more back to us (a hundred fold!!). Why do we often struggle to believe this? Discuss some ways your possessions (your time, your talent, and your treasure) can be better used to serve God, his Church, and others.

6. In the meditation, we hear these words, “Every day, Jesus, the living Word of God, looks on you with the same penetrating gaze. He sees everything in you—the good, the bad, and the ugly—and he loves you intensely.” Do you believe this? The title for this meditation is “Seeing Ourselves as Jesus Sees Us.” How would you describe how Jesus sees you? In light of this, what can you do to deepen your relationship with Jesus?

7. Take some time now to pray and ask the Lord to give you a heart open to seeing Jesus’ loving gaze upon you. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.

[Salvation]

A Christian Pilgrim

WE MUST TRAVEL LIGHT

(A biblical refection on THE 28^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – 14 October, 2012) 

Gospel Reading: Mark 10:17-30 

First Reading: Wis 7:7-11; Psalms: Ps 90:12-17; Second Reading: Heb 4:12-13 

The Scripture Text

And as He was setting out on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to Him, “Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth.” And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” At that saying his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. 

And Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the Kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say to Him, “Lo, we have left everything and followed You.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for My sake and for the Gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.” (Mk 10:17-30 RSV) 

There is one thing we have all experienced – being bound by the things we carry. At times, our possessions come to possess us. We feel restricted by them. We have not “travelled light,” and now we are finding out how hard it is to get home. It is indeed a common sight at airports or railway stations. In the airport’s luggage claim are we can see a man having a very hard time carrying all of his suitcases out of the area. In the end, carrying too much only impedes our progress and frustrates the realization of our goals.

In our Gospel reading of today, we encounter the sad story of the man “who had too much.” He was a good and respectable person. He had observed all of the rules and regulations. No doubt he had obtained his wealth by honest, hard work. He probably thought that the rules of business could also be applied to gaining everlasting life. However, Jesus indicates that there is still one more thing required: “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Mk 10:21). How did the rich man respond? In this regard, Mark put a short note: “At that saying his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions” (Mk 10:22).

It is important to note that Jesus loved the rich man and called him to follow the radical way of poverty. The giving up of earthly treasures means that one comes to receive heavenly treasures. It is not enough to see what one has and give to the poor. One must then follow Jesus. To simply give up one’s possessions but not follow Jesus is to be materially and spiritually poor.

Finally, we should note that Jesus does call the rich to enter the Kingdom. He says, however, that it is hard. For material possessions weigh us down and blind us to the treasures that moth cannot consume, rust cannot destroy, or thief cannot break in and steal. Earthly treasures seem so immediate and lasting. Heavenly treasures have a ring of “pie in the sky when we die.” A true spirit of wisdom is needed for us to know the things that really matter.

The letter to the Hebrews brings our reflections into sharp focus: “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb 4:12). Today God’s word challenges us to travel light and accept the treasures of heaven provided by God’s loving grace. Like the rich man whom Jesus loved, we must decide what will fill us up. We can go away sad because too much of the world is our hearts. Or we can empty ourselves so that God can fill us up with the richness of His peace and love. What will it be? 

Short Prayer: Heavenly Father, through Your Holy Spirit, remind me always that I must travel light and accept the treasures of heaven by Your loving grace. Amen.