Needle’s Eye
Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 10:17-27– 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?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 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.” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” 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.” At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” 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! 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.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, then come, follow me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is a very troubling Gospel for many. Two points should be mentioned: 1) Many people are unnecessarily troubled because they fear that if they grow closer to God He will make them sell all their goods and be poor. This isn’t the case. The Church has always had rich people who were its great supporters. 2) On the other hand, many people should be very troubled by this. They should be troubled by if they are attached to their riches or material belongings.
Americans must read this Gospel carefully. We must take Christ at His word. Possessions can be very dangerous if we get attached to them. The problem wasn’t that the man was rich, but that He loved His possessions. He loved His possessions more than He loved God. That is why he was asked to give them up. Make no mistake about this: God will not allow for any rivals—He will make us choose. If there is anything we love more than God, it will cost us God. Beg God to increase our love for Him. In prayer, think of one small thing each of us likes that we can give up or give away.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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