The Word among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Monday, 25 May 2015
Meditation: Mark 10:17 As he was starting on his way, a man ran up, kneeled down in front of him and asked, “Good rabbi, what should I do to obtain eternal life?” 18 Yeshua said to him, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good except God! 19 You know the mitzvot — ‘Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t give false testimony, don’t defraud, honor your father and mother, . . .’”[a] 20 “Rabbi,” he said, “I have kept all these since I was a boy.” 21 Yeshua, looking at him, felt love for him and said to him, “You’re missing one thing. Go, sell whatever you own, give to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me!” 22 Shocked by this word, he went away sad; because he was a wealthy man.
23 Yeshua looked around and said to his talmidim, “How hard it is going to be for people with wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 The talmidim were astounded at these words; but Yeshua said to them again, “My friends, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! 25 It’s easier for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” 26 They were utterly amazed and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Yeshua looked at them and said, “Humanly, it is impossible, but not with God; with God, everything is possible.”[Footnotes:
Mark 10:19 Exodus 20:12–13(16); Deuteronomy 5:16–17(20)]
Saint Bede the Venerable, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Come, follow me. (Mark 10:21)
If you were ever called to the principal’s office when you were a child, it was probably either good news or very bad news. Maybe it was to receive a prize or special recognition for your work. Or maybe you needed to be disciplined or told of bad news from home. “Come in,” he or she would have said, but the tone of those two words would depend greatly on the circumstances. It would either have been a gracious invitation or a command.
Which tone do you think Jesus took when he told the rich young man, “Come, follow me” (Mark 10:21)? It seems it was spoken like a generous offer. The scene must have impressed the apostles, because a tiny detail was passed down, which Mark included in his story: “Jesus, looking at him, loved him” (10:21). He was filled with compassion for this man
Notice that Jesus starts off by reminding the man of some of the Ten Commandments, the good rules God has given that are meant to bring us life. When you are unsure how to approach a situation, reflecting on the commandments with the help of the Holy Spirit can often help untangle the confusion, showing a clear way forward.
There are also times when it’s not so simple, times when you feel conflicted about the right path or too weak to do what your conscience is asking. At that moment, the same exciting invitation is open to you: “Come, follow me!” It’s an invitation not simply to walk on some road Jesus walked two thousand years ago, but on a path he is on with you today. A path that leads through the commandments, with his grace, mercy, and wisdom available whenever the road is rough or you lose your way.
Whether you feel you know what God is asking of you or you are struggling to know his will, one solid, undeniable truth still holds: Jesus is looking at you with love. He loves you, even if your track record for following him leaves much to be desired. Let that love warm your heart today. Let it move you and help you overcome whatever hurdles you may be facing today. Let that love help you accept the invitation to follow Jesus more closely and confidently.
“Lord, I want to inherit eternal life by walking the path of life with you.” Amen!
Sirach 17:20 None of their sins are hidden from him; he is aware of them all.[a] 22 When we give to the poor, the Lord considers it as precious as a valuable ring. Human kindness is as precious to him as life itself. 23 Later he will judge the wicked and punish them; they will get what they deserve. 24 But the Lord will allow those who repent to return to him. He always gives encouragement to those who are losing hope.[Footnotes:
Sirach 17:20 Some manuscripts add verse 21: But the Lord is gracious and knows his creatures; so he has spared them rather than abandon them.]
Psalms 32: (0) By David. A maskil:
(1) How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven,
those whose sin is covered!
2 How blessed those to whom Adonai imputes no guilt,
in whose spirit is no deceit!
5 When I acknowledged my sin to you,
when I stopped concealing my guilt,
and said, “I will confess my offenses to Adonai”;
then you, you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Selah)
6 This is what everyone faithful should pray
at a time when you can be found.
Then, when the floodwaters are raging,
they will not reach to him.
7 You are a hiding-place for me,
you will keep me from distress;
you will surround me
with songs of deliverance. (Selah)
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