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| “Christ and the Young Rich Man” by Heinrich Hofmann,1889 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Commentary on 1 Pt 1:3-9
St. Peter writes to early churches of Asia Minor. This letter is thought to have been composed while St. Peter was in Rome, and published to them between 64 and 67 AD, shortly before his martyrdom at the hands of Nero. He begins this selection with a prayer, thanking God for the grace given in Baptism (“…gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”). This passage is the beginning of the first section of his letter, dealing primarily with the gift and call of Christ in Baptism.
Although Baptism is not mentioned specifically, we see the allusion to it, first with: “…who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope,” and then later with: “…you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of faith, the salvation of your souls.” These gifts of hope and faith, presented in Baptism, give the Christian their indelible character.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9 and 10c
R. (5) The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Commentary on Ps 111:1-2, 5-6, 9 and 10c
Psalm 111 is a song of praise. The hymn professes God’s greatness, revealed in creation and revered by all that live and have being. The final reference to God’s imperishable covenant (“…he has ratified his covenant forever") reminds us of our adoption by the Father.
CCC: Ps 111:9 2807
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Gospel: Mark 10:17-27
Commentary on Mk 10:17-27
The story of the rich young man, presented in St. Mark’s Gospel, is an ideal teaching moment for Christ. Clearly the young man depicted is of Pharisaic persuasion since he believes in the concept of eternal life (Sadducees would not). After he has heard that the young man has carefully followed Mosaic Law (summarized in the Decalogue the Lord mentions), Jesus tells him he has only one more step to take. Selling all he has and giving the proceeds to the poor is too much for the rich young man who leaves downcast.
Jesus uses this example to emphasize, first, that the love of God must come first, before desire for possessions, and before the accumulation of wealth. Those listening were also downhearted and say: “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus then makes his second point. No one earns salvation from God! Only the Lord alone can grant it, and nothing is impossible for him. “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” God must provide the path.
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Reflection:
It is very tempting to focus just on the Gospel. Jesus challenges us with re-ordering our priorities in the parable of the rich young man. However, there is a passage in the final verse of the first reading from St. Peter’s first letter that refines our idea of the role our faith plays in directing our lives:
“Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet you believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9)
While we have heard the definition of faith from St. Paul as being: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1), here St. Peter gives us the goal of faith, our salvation, the very fundamental purpose of God’s Son coming into the world: eternal life.
On the surface this sounds very ethereal, a nice philosophical realization without real pragmatic application in our lives. How, after all, does this realization drive our application of faith in our daily lives? St. Peter praises the early Christian community, to whom he writes, for their faith in Christ: “…even though you do not see him now.” In fact, most of those he writes to never saw Jesus in the flesh. In that sense, we are not dissimilar to his audience. So the totality of Peter’s message flows to us.
He pointedly speaks of our re-birth in Baptism, and the gifts given in that most important first sacrament (while Eucharist is considered the most holy sacrament, Baptism, because of its prerequisite nature is considered the most important). Through this gate (the true sheep gate of Christ), we are called to be a people enlightened by faith, that is, to be a beacon to others. The faith we are given is not to be kept hidden, nor is its purpose to be restricted to us. Rather the faith we are given is given to share with the world.
As we take that gift of the Holy Spirit and go into this new season of faith, we ask God to strengthen the faith we have been given, for our salvation and that of the whole world.
Pax
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