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 1st 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 2nd 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