Abandoned by her parents at an early age, Maria grew up alone and unloved. Living in the streets, a poor couple took her in and taught her to buy and sell old newspapers, magazines, and books. She learned how to read with all the reading materials around her. 

At age 23, she was alone again when the couple died in an accident. She had wandered around for days, miserable and angry at life, until she found herself in church. The old priest heard her story and allowed her to stay. For days, she sat and stared at the walls until the priest coaxed her to help him clean around.  Seeing many ; books in the church office, she slowly came to life. One morning, the priest was surprised to see her sitting in a corner reading a book of saints.  

Today, at the age of 36, Maria is married to a good man and has one child. She goes to Mass daily, and continues working for the church. For 20 years, Maria lived a life of misery and bad luck. It seemed impossible to have a better life. 

Yet God had wonderful plans for her. Because He makes all things possible. Chelle Crisanto (ellehcmaria@gmail.com)  

Reflect:

Are you quick to despair? Do you just accept that your plan failed? Or do you ask God to show you another way? 

Teach me, Lord, to be humble and accept that You are far greater than anything in this world. 

St. Augustine of Canterbury, bishop, pray for us.

Our faith gives rise to the joy of the Lord in our hearts—the greater our faith, the greater our joy is. Jesus told His disciples that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. Through this, He affirms that we do not have to bring much to Him. He loves us so much that if we let a little of His love enter our hearts, it will muster enough faith for us to do anything in His name. 

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you ⁵ who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. ⁶ In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, ⁷ so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ⁸ Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, ⁹ as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9, 10

R: The Lord will remember his covenant forever. 

¹ I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. ² Great are the works of the Lord, exquisite in all their delights. (R) ⁵ He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. 6 He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations. (R) ⁹ He has sent deliverance to his people; he has ratified his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name. ¹⁰ His praise endures forever. (R) 

Gospel | Mark 10:17-27

I truly love the line that says how Jesus “looked at him and loved him.” It is the gaze of Jesus upon us that can make all the difference to our faith. If we allow Him to love us and let His love penetrate the shields we build to protect us from disappointments, then we will be truly transformed by the power of His love. 

Gospel Acclamation

Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 

¹⁷ As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down 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 bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor 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 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 men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God. 

Read the Bible in one year! Read EZRA 1 - 5 today.

In the preceding verses, Jesus taught His disciples the proper disposition to become part of the Kingdom of God. That is, to become childlike. The saga continues. In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives another condition to be able to enter God’s Kingdom, which is the renunciation of earthly wealth. 

At first glance, the life of the man who asked Jesus was fit for heaven: he observed the law and had lived out the commandments since he was young. This is why the evangelist Saint Mark noted that “Jesus loved him.” However, Jesus gave him the key to enter heaven. He must renounce his earthly wealth to follow Jesus. Again, Saint Mark emphatically remarked that the young man left sad, for he had many possessions. 

Jesus wishes to emphasize here the application of the commandments in one’s life. The riches of the man do not make him an evil person. On the contrary, once a person truly lives the content and meaning of the law, the first effect is selflessness. A true observer of the law is a person who is not preoccupied with material wealth but is always ready to share what he has. 

This leads us back to the emulation of the attitude of Jesus. He obeyed the Father’s will and gave Himself totally for our salvation. Let us heed the words of Saint Paul: “Have among yourselves the same attitude that is yours in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Fr. Eugene Fadul 

Reflection Question:

If you were the rich young man in the Gospel story, how would you respond to Jesus’ invitation? 

I pray that there will never come a time when I would prefer—consciously or unconsciously—worldly riches over Your Kingdom, Lord. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _____________________________________