SUNDAY- 28th WEEK
IN ORDINARY TIME –B
I
Reading: Wisdom 7:7-11: Compared with wisdom, I held riches as nothing.
II Reading: Hebrews 4:12-13: The word of God can judge secret emotions and thoughts.
Gospel: Mark 10:17-30: Go and sell everything you own and follow me.
The Rich Young Ruler: The Problem of Eternal Life, Mk 10:17-22
This
man is known as “the rich young ruler.” He is called because of the combined
picture gleaned from all the three gospels.
·
He
was rich (Mt 19:22; Mk 10:22; Lk 18:23).
·
He
was young (Mt 19:20).
·
He
was a ruler (Lk 18:18).
He
was a rare young man among the people of his day. He was conscientious,
responsible, dependable and placed into a position of leadership. He was
eagerly seeking eternal life-a spiritual matter often shunned by young people.
The
dominant theme of the young man’s experience is his sincerity, his desperate
search for eternal life. Jesus takes the man’s desperation and shocks the
world. Desperation, sincerity, eagerness and seeking eternal life are not
enough. Man has a problem in seeking eternal life.
1.
A rich young man sought Jesus (v.17)
a.
Eagerness: ran
b.
Humility: fell on knees
c.
Respect: good teacher
d.
Concern: eternity
2.
Fact 1: To praise Jesus Christ is not enough to receive eternal life (v.18)
3.
Fact 2: To be respectable is not enough to receive eternal life (v.19-20)
a.
Laws of respectability
b.
His respectable character
4.
Fact 3: To be loved by Jesus is not enough to receive eternal life (v.21)
5.
Fact 4: To give everything is required to receive eternal life (v.21-22)
a.
The meaning: Total and sacrificial giving: the abandonment of all
b.
The result: The requirement is sad news-he goes away
Thought: The
Word of God is creative, active and alive always which can change the lives of
the people at any time. We need to have a good heart filled with full of faith
and hope in the Lord to bear much fruits.
God expects us to work so that we can have
enough to help others (Eph 4:28). We are to help as we are able, but we are to
be honest about ability to help the needy and poor in the society. The young
man did not believe heaven was glorious
enough to merit the giving up of his possessions (Lk 9:23; 19:8).
The young
rich man came to Jesus with full of joy and happiness but when Jesus asked him
to go and sell all things and give to the poor, then he went away sad because
he loved his wealth than the treasures in heaven.
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