“Go and sell everything you own and follow me.”
In today’s story of the rich young man, who comes to Jesus full of good intentions, there are some simple words that speak so clearly to our own age: when Jesus tells him to sell everything and give it to the poor, “his face fell at these words, and he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth.”” How sad it is that such a keen (he runs up to Jesus), and by all accounts good young man (whom Jesus loves) could not free himself from the one thing that was holding him back – his dependence on money. Jesus’ words “How hard it is…” perhaps indicate his own sadness that the young man could not free himself from this. Jesus’ teaching was new ‑ as the disciples’ reaction shows. In Israel at the time, riches were thought to be a blessing from God. But as Jesus knew and taught, holding on to anything that passes away can distract us from holding on to things that are eternal.
PSALM
Make us know the shortness of our life that we may gain wisdom of heart. Lord, relent! Is your anger for ever? Show pity to your servants. In the morning, fill us with your love; we shall exult and rejoice all our days. Give us joy to balance our affliction for the years when we knew misfortune. Show forth your work to your servants; let your glory shine on their children. Let the favour of the Lord be upon us: give success to the work of our hands.
First Reading: Wisdom 7:7-11
Second Reading: Heb 4: 12-13
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:17-30
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