Sell What You Have
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 10:17-30 – 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.” Peter began to say to him, "We have given up everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."
(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. Wealthy people have always been a part of the Church, and have been its great supporters. 2) On the other hand, many people should be troubled by this Gospel if they are attached to their riches, belongings, materials.
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 in this story is not that the man is rich, but that He loves His possessions. He loves His possessions more than He loves God. That is why he is asked to give them up. Make no mistake about this: God will not tolerate any rivals—He will make us choose between Him and everything else. 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.
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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