October 11 - Twenty Eighty Sunday in Ordinary Time: Riches

 

First Reading  Wisdom 7:7-11
Wisdom is preferred above gold and silver.

Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 90:12-13,14-15,16-17
The Lord fills us with love and joy.

Second Reading  Hebrews 4:12-13
The Word of God exposes the heart.

Gospel Reading
Mark 10:17-30 (shorter form Mark 10:17-27)

The rich man was capable of doing more than just keeping the commandments, but he lacked the commitment to do so. Today's Gospel story makes it painfully clear that there is more to Christianity than just keeping the commandments. Jesus made it clear to the rich man that Christianity is more than just a set of negative commands like not staling or not cheating. Christianity is far more positive. It is about doing what you can in generosity and love: "Have you ever used your wealth to feed the hungry, clothe the naked or shelter the homeless?" We are like the rich man in today's gospel. we have kept the commandments too, but we haven't been able to reach out as generously as we could to the needy, the naked, and the hungry. Let us reflect.