WelCom October 2021
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Mark 10:17-27
17 As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’
18 Jesus answered him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.
19 You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not give false witness; you shall not defraud; honour your father and your mother.’
20 He replied and said to him, ‘Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.’
21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, ‘You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’
22 But at that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!’ 25 It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’
26 They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, ‘Then who can be saved?’
27 Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.’
Real wellbeing lasts forever
Tom Gibson
This Gospel Reading (Mk 10:17-27) is a difficult parable to swallow. Towards the end of our lives, many of us may have accrued material wealth as a result of our hard-earned efforts earlier. But as we age, our physical wellbeing deteriorates, and we may begin to feel down – both physically and emotionally. But Christ says that those of us who are physically needy are more able to enter the Kingdom of God than those who aren’t. In fact, for those who have little or no physical needs, it is nearly impossible.
But as usual God’s love shines through and even those of us who are rich in the physical sense, be it material wealth or physical wellbeing are invited to enter the Kingdom of God as well – even though it may be difficult.
Let’s ask our Lord to lead us through the gates of His Kingdom on a daily basis to enjoy the type of real wellbeing that lasts forever.
Tom Gibson is a retired dairy farmer and a parishioner at Immaculate Conception, Stratford, Taranaki.