Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Monday,
3 March 2014 - Catholic Meditations
Meditation: Mark 10: 17 As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him,
and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me
good? No one is good except one—God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not
murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false
testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’”[a]
20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have
observed all these things from my youth.”
21 Jesus looking at him loved him, and
said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the
poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the
cross.”
22 But his face fell at that saying, and
he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions. 23 Jesus
looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who
have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his
words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard is it for those who trust
in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! 25 It is easier for a camel to go
through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”
26 They were exceedingly astonished,
saying to him, “Then who can be saved?”
27 Jesus, looking at them, said, “With
men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.”
Footnotes:
a. Mark 10:19 Exodus 20:12-16;
Deuteronomy 5:16-20
Saint Katharine Drexel, Virgin
Come, follow me (Mark 10:21)
In the fantasy film Labyrinth, a teenager
named Sarah tries to rescue her baby brother from the evil Goblin King. To
reach him, she must make her way through an enormous labyrinth. At one point
she meets a character named the Junk Lady, who distracts her by showing her an
exact copy of her room at home. She shows Sarah her toys, saying, “Everything
you’ve ever cared about is here.” Then Sarah remembers that she still has to
save her brother. “It’s all junk!” she cries, throwing one of her toys against
her mirror. At that moment, the room dissolves, and she is able to escape.
Like Sarah, the rich young man in today’s
Gospel was faced with a decision about his possessions. But while Sarah saw
through the “junk” that trapped her, this fellow could not.
We are all faced with the same question
that this young man faced: who is Jesus? Is he the eternal Son of God, sent to
save us from sin and open heaven for us? Or is he just a good teacher and
charismatic leader? Or, to put it another way, is Jesus far more important than
our possessions, or is he just one of many equally good things in our lives?
This isn’t just an issue of money, either. Many other “idols” can compete with
the Lord, including our strongly held opinions, our social standing, and the
grudges and resentments we choose to hold onto.
There is an old hymn that says, when we
“look full in his wonderful face,” the “things of earth will grow strangely
dim.” So today, imagine yourself as the rich young man. Go ahead and say to him
whatever you want. But then, when he looks into your eyes, stay there for a
minute, and look back at him. Imagine the look on his face and the intensity of
his gaze. See his love and compassion for you. See how your heart is moved to
love him in return. That’s the moment when you’re ready to give up anything and
everything for him. That’s the moment when you have escaped.
“Lord, help me to find my treasure in
you. Come, Jesus, and fill my heart with the fire of your love. Lord, I give
everything to you!” Amen!
1 Peter 1: 3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his
great mercy became our father again to a living hope through the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance
that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, 5 who by the power of God
are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last
time. 6 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be,
you have been put to grief in various trials, 7 that the proof of your faith,
which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by
fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of
Jesus Christ— 8 whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don’t
see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of
glory— 9 receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Psalm 111: Praise Yah![a]
1
I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart,
in the council of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 Yahweh’s works are great,
pondered by all those who delight in them.
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 111:1 Psalm 111 is an acrostic
poem, with each verse after the initial “Praise Yah!” starting with a letter of
the alphabet (ordered from Alef to Tav).
5 He has given food to those who fear
him.
He always remembers his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of
his works,
in giving them the heritage of the nations.
9 He has sent redemption to his people.
He has ordained his covenant forever.
His name is holy and awesome!
10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of
wisdom.
All those who do his work have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment