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Scripture Study for Catholics

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B

October 14, 2012

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Opening Prayer

First Reading: Wisdom 7:7-11

Psalm: 90:12-17

Second Reading: Hebrews 4:12-13

Gospel Reading: Mark 10:17-30

Jesus is preparing to leave the area of Galilee “beyond the Jordan” on his way to Jerusalem (Mark 10:10, 17, 32). He continues his instruction on discipleship.

Jesus is approached by a man (Matthew tells us he is a young man, Matthew 19:20) who asks what he must do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (verse 17). We find out later that this young man is also rich (v. 22). At the time, wealth was considered to be a sign of divine favor, if not election.

Jesus cites to him the last seven of the Ten Commandments—the ones having to do with love of neighbor (Exodus 20:2-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21.He also adds a prohibition against fraud which, while not one of the Ten Commandments, may be inferred from Deuteronomy 24:14.). The rich young man assures Jesus that he has kept these from his youth.

Jesus, looking into this young man’s heart, sees something there that will cause him to be the only one in the Gospels to refuse a personal call from the Lord.

QUESTIONS:

In the 1^st Reading, the writer is asking for wisdom, a gift he knows should be prized above all gifts. What kind of things does God want us to value and ask him for? What kind of things do I ask of God in my prayer time?

In light of the 2^nd Reading, how do you approach the reading of Scripture or homilies at Mass? Can you think of any occasions when hearing God’s word helped to reveal intentions that had lain buried, perhaps for years?

In questioning the rich young man’s address to him as “good teacher,” and pointing out that “no one is good but God alone,” is Jesus denying his divinity, or affirming it? Why or why not?

Jesus quizzes the young man on only a partial list of the 10 Commandments (see Exodus 20). How well might the man obeyed the one’s not mentioned—those relating directly to God?

Why does Jesus command the man as he does (verse 21; see also Mark 8:34)? What does the man’s response reveal about what was incomplete about his good works?

What does the disciple’s shock reveal about them? On what basis is it possible for anyone to receive the Kingdom?

How many possessions do you have? How do they affect your relationship with Jesus? How dismayed are you when he asks you to give them up? Aside from riches, what is the “one thing” (verse 21)—friends, job, lifestyle, free time—that keeps you from completely following Jesus?

Are you more like the children we read about last week (Mark 10:13-16) or the rich young man in terms of the way you approach God?

Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 2068, 2072, 1858, 1618, 2082

Riches are not forbidden, but the pride of them is. –St. John Chrysostom

A Young Man Encounters Jesus

Pastor’s Column

28^th Sunday Ordinary Time

October 14, 2012

Is there something deeply lacking in my relationship with God? In this Sunday’s gospel of the rich young man and his haunting encounter with Jesus (Mark 10:17-30), Mark has an added detail that the other Gospels lack – he notes that Jesus looks at this young man and loves him. Why does he love him so much? This man has spent his life loving God without even realizing it, because he was trying to keep the Commandments. When I try to keep the Commandments of God, I love God. It is really just that simple. Once again we see that love is not a feeling we have for someone – even though that is important– rather, love is a series of actions, of behaviors, of being obedient to what God asks me to do.

This rich young man has reached a very critical point in his life. Without realizing it he has literally come to the opportunity of a lifetime, one that would never come again, one that would come to very few people in human history. In most other Gospel accounts of a personal call by Jesus, it is Jesus himself who seeks the person out and says "follow me", but here it is the man who seeks Jesus. He takes the initiative as Jesus is about to walk away!

No doubt the rich young man had been watching and listening to Jesus. Now he sees his opportunity slipping away. He's been hesitating – perhaps afraid to ask – he knows that Jesus is about to get up and go away, so he finally summons his courage and comes before Jesus to ask his question. He is not far from the kingdom of God, yet he misses his opportunity because something is held back. Money and wealth are not everyone's problem, but it was this man's problem. All that he might have been in this world and the next were hanging on this one decision. The man choses his worldly possessions and goes away sad.

Imagine yourself running up to Jesus as he's about to set out on the journey. What would you say to him? What would he say to you? Would you have the courage to ask him "What more do I need to do? Or perhaps, “What is coming between you and me, Lord, in our relationship?” Do you have the courage to ask this question, and then to act on it?

There are many ways I can tell what priority God has in my life. For example, if I don't attend mass on Sunday because there's a sports game on, then sports are more important to me than Jesus. If I find time for everything but prayer, then almost everything is more important than Jesus. How I act with the people I love at home is an indication of how much I love Christ, too. How I spend my money is a very good indication of my real priorities. We can tell a great deal about God’s place by simply looking at our checkbook. What have I done with what God has given me in my life? What is that one thing you and God will agree on that you must do? If God should reveal this to you, if you have the courage to ask, also pray for the courage to act, and not go away sad like this man did!

Father Gary