Father Michael's Thoughts This Week
WEEKLY THOUGHTS 28th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - OCTOBER 13, 2024
Dear Friends,
This weekend we celebrate the 28th Sunday in Ordinary time. True knowledge and wisdom are basically establishing my relationship with Jesus. This is far better than gold and silver as stated in Wis 7:7-11.
The Gospel Reading of last Sunday, Jesus responded to the question set by the Pharisees to test Jesus on the requirements of divorce. Jesus responded quoting Genesis on God’s original design of Marriage that valid Marriage is a life time commitment; “what God has united man should never separate.”
We resolved to pray for the family as the nucleus of society as well as the Church that now has many forces fighting to destroy it.
In today’s Gospel Mark 10: 17-30 we hear the episode of the rich young man approaching Jesus about how one can inherit eternal life. Jesus replies follow the commandments as given through Moses. The young man acknowledges that he lives by the commandments from childhood.
Jesus sees that the young man lacks detachment from his possessions. He tells the young man; “Go, sell everything, give the money to the poor, then come and follow me.” We are told the young man was filled with sadness and went away from Jesus. He found it hard to detach himself from his possessions.
Jesus acknowledges that those who have given up everything for the sake of the gospel will be rewarded now and in the new age to come.
Great Saints opted and embraced absolute poverty as taught by Jesus; Saint Benedict, St Francis of Assisi, St Dominic, St Ignatius of Loyola, St Teresa of Avila, St Ann Seaton and Mother Teresa of Calcutta just to mention a few. The choice of Voluntary poverty is still relevant to attain eternal life.
Our possessions should never replace God in our life. My relationship with God must always be a treasure and wisdom to cherish; hence a means to inherit eternal glory. Let us be very generous as we make a special collection for our brothers and sisters badly hit by Hurricanes Helene and of recent Milton.
Have a great week and God bless.
