Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 3, 2025

Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: 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.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s Gospel reading from Mark recounts Jesus’ exchange with the rich young man and later with his disciples concerning wealth. The young man was following the commandments, but when asked to sell all his possession, give away the proceeds, and then come follow Jesus, the young man went away sad because of his many possessions.

The disciples were surprised by Jesus words that wealth can actually be a deterrent to the Kingdom of God. They had been raised to believe wealth was a sign of the LORD’s approval and blessing. Jesus corrects their way of thinking and their understanding. Salvation is not possible for us without the LORD. We cannot do it alone.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I call upon the LORD daily to guide me and grace me for this life? Do my actions and words indicate my reliance on the LORD or my independence.

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, remain in me as I seek to remain in You. Flood me with your graces and with the gifts of perseverance and right judgment. Grant that I may strive daily to live into the one You created and called me to be by discerning your will and cooperating with your grace. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.