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| “Christ and the Young Rich Man” by Heinrich Hofmann,1889 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Sirach 17:20-24[4]
Commentary on Sir 17:20-28
The first part of this moral teaching from Sirach (in antiquity called “Wisdom of the Son of Sirach" and in the Middle Ages Ecclesiasticus) deals with penitence. God always invites us back, especially those who have lost hope. All that is necessary is to love what God loves, and to pray constantly to the "Most High God."
The second section asks for conversion or a return to God. Here the author says the dead cannot give God praise (see also Psalm 115:17-18 and Isaiah 38:18-20). This reflects the belief at this point in Hebrew theological development that there was no life after death, no resurrection, only a shadow existence in Sheol. We also hear how God’s mercy flows to those who do return from a sinful past. God forgives those who return to him.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7
R. (11a) Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
Commentary on Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7
Psalm 32 is an individual hymn of thanksgiving. The psalmist sings a song of gratitude that the Almighty Father has pardoned his sins (which were freely confessed). In spite of these blemishes, salvation is heaped upon the repentant.
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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:
The Good News offers us a way home if we have fallen or have moved away from the Lord. There is a God billboard in our region of the country that says: “If you feel God is far away, who moved?” It fits today’s scripture.
In Sirach we are told that the path to God is open for those who have fallen into sin or have denied the Lord. The opening line is an invitation (that sounds like it came out of an Indiana Jones movie) “To the penitent God provides a way back, he encourages those who are losing hope and has chosen for them the lot of truth.” From the oldest times God has provided a way to return if we fail.
We are told that to return we must first want to return. Actually, if we think about it, that is the major hurdle we must cross. If we want something, say a new car or a pair of shoes, our behavior supports that desire. We save money for the car, and we look into offerings by various dealers or stores. We do our homework so that we achieve what we want. The larger the item or the goal, the longer it takes to achieve it and the more discipline in our behavior. We see how goals can come into conflict in the Gospel story. The rich young man wants exactly what we do, and finds the barrier in himself. The Lord tells him to remove the things in his life more important to him than God, his material possessions, and he (the young man) cannot do it.
When Jesus turns to his disciples after the young man leaves, he explains: to those who place their wealth first in their lives, the Kingdom of God is not attainable. Even if we find a way to achieve that perfect state of mind (it is very difficult), it is only through God’s mercy that we will achieve that heavenly place. Thank God his mercy is endless.
Pax
[1] The picture is “Christ and the Young Rich Man” by Heinrich Hofmann,1889
[4] The Biblical Citation used is incorrect at USCCB (and repeated here) Correct is Sirach 17:24-28 in the NAB
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