First Reading: Wisdom 7:7-11
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:12-13
Gospel: Mark 10:17-30
The rich young man in today’s gospel seemed to be a good person, but “the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.” (from today’s 2nd reading) The young man encounters the Word of God, Jesus Christ, who reveals his lack of trust in God. The problem wasn’t his money, but that the money controlled him – a form of idolatry.
Idolatry is far more than making a golden calf and worshiping it, as the Israelites did in the Old Testament. Idolatry could be that which is preventing us from time for prayer, going to Mass, or consuming our time, for example: sporting events, the chores around the house, the grocery shopping, recreation, watching sports, work etc. Just like in the story of the rich young man, any one or more of these could be controlling us. While none of them are bad, and certainly are part of everyday life…when they become more important than God – that’s modern day idolatry.
At the end of our life: “we must render an account” to God. So the decisions we make in this life, will determine our happiness (or lack of) in the next. St. Louis De Montfort said: “To know Jesus Christ, the Eternal and Incarnate Wisdom is to know enough; to know everything and not to know Him, is to know nothing.” All must be done for “God alone”!
Let’s remember always that Jesus is in control of our lives…we can let go of the worrying, anxiousness and fear as well…Jesus conquered them all…leave them all, or whatever else is controlling us at the foot of the cross – let Jesus show us the way, just as he showed the rich young man.
May God bless us always!
Deacon Mike