October 13: “Sell what you have, and give to the poor…then come, follow me.”
Dear brothers and sisters, today’s readings present us with profound insights into the nature of wisdom, the transformative power of God’s word, and the radical call to discipleship that Jesus extends to each of us. As we reflect on these themes, we discover that the pursuit of wisdom and the willingness to follow Christ wholeheartedly are central to inheriting eternal life.
In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we encounter a deep appreciation for wisdom that transcends earthly riches. The author of Wisdom proclaims, “I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.” This acknowledgment of wisdom as a divine gift is essential for us today. The speaker recognizes that true wealth lies not in material possessions or worldly power but in the relationship with God that wisdom fosters. “I preferred her to scepter and throne,” he declares, emphasizing that no earthly treasure can compare with the wisdom that comes from above.
In our modern context, we are often inundated with messages that prioritize wealth, status, and comfort. The challenge is to recognize that these pursuits, while enticing, can lead us away from what is truly valuable. Wisdom, as described in this passage, helps us discern the difference between fleeting pleasures and lasting joy. It invites us to consider what we value most in our lives and to seek wisdom that leads us closer to God.
The second reading from Hebrews reinforces the importance of God’s word in our lives. The writer states, “Indeed the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword.” Here, we are reminded that God’s word is not just a collection of ancient texts; it is a living reality that penetrates our hearts and minds, revealing our innermost thoughts and intentions. It calls us to accountability, urging us to align our lives with God’s will.
As we reflect on our lives, we must ask ourselves: Are we allowing the word of God to shape our choices and actions? Are we open to the transformative power of Scripture, allowing it to cut through the distractions of our lives and reveal our true selves? Embracing God’s word is essential for growing in wisdom and understanding.
In the Gospel, we encounter a rich young man who approaches Jesus with a sincere question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” His question is one that resonates with many of us, as we seek meaning and purpose in our lives. Jesus, knowing the man’s heart, responds by listing the commandments, to which the young man confidently replies that he has observed them all from his youth.
However, Jesus sees deeper into the man’s life and challenges him to let go of his possessions: “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor.” This command is not merely about the act of giving; it is a radical call to discipleship that requires the young man to confront his attachment to wealth. Unfortunately, the man walks away sad because he had “many possessions.”
Jesus’ subsequent teaching reveals a profound truth about wealth and the kingdom of God: “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” This statement astonishes the disciples, and they question who can be saved if the wealthy find it so difficult. Jesus reassures them, saying, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
In these moments, we see that the call to follow Jesus often requires a willingness to let go of our attachments—be they to wealth, status, or security—in order to embrace a life of faith and service. Jesus’ promise to those who sacrifice for his sake is both comforting and challenging: “There is no one who has given up… for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more.”
As we gather today, let us reflect on what it means to seek wisdom and to heed the call of Christ. Are we prepared to prioritize our relationship with God above all else? Are we willing to let go of the things that hold us back from fully following Him? May we strive to embody the wisdom that leads to eternal life, trusting in God’s promise that all things are possible for those who believe. Let us pray for the courage to choose wisely and to follow Christ with our whole hearts.
October 6: A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh
In the readings for the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are invited to reflect on the sanctity and purpose of marriage, as well as the call to childlike faith. Each of the readings brings out a distinct yet interconnected dimension of God’s design for human relationships and communion.
In the first reading from Genesis, we hear the story of God’s creation of woman and the institution of marriage. God sees that it is not good for man to be alone and creates a suitable partner for him. This narrative emphasizes the fundamental truth that human beings are created for relationship and companionship. Man is not complete in isolation; he finds his fulfillment in communion with another.
When God presents the woman to the man, Adam’s response is profound: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” The creation of woman from man’s rib symbolizes the deep unity and equality between man and woman. They share a common origin, and thus, in marriage, they become “one flesh.” The unity of man and woman in marriage is not just a physical union, but a spiritual and emotional one, reflecting God’s own nature as a communion of love. Marriage is meant to be an intimate partnership of life and love, where husband and wife help each other grow in holiness and faithfulness.
In the Gospel, the Pharisees approach Jesus to test Him with a question about divorce. They ask whether it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife. In response, Jesus acknowledges that Moses permitted divorce because of the “hardness of hearts,” but He points them back to God’s original intention for marriage as expressed in Genesis. Jesus teaches that from the beginning, God made them male and female, and in marriage, they become one flesh. “Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”
Jesus’ words challenge the culture of His time, and indeed, they challenge our contemporary society as well. The permanence and indissolubility of marriage are often questioned, and divorce has become a common recourse. Yet, Jesus reaffirms that marriage is a covenant—a sacred bond that mirrors God’s unwavering love and faithfulness. The marital relationship is meant to reflect the love between Christ and His Church, a love that is self-giving, sacrificial, and enduring. By upholding the sanctity of marriage, Jesus calls married couples to commit to a love that perseveres through challenges and difficulties, a love that is rooted in God’s grace and strength.
The second part of the Gospel offers another powerful image: Jesus’ embrace of children. The disciples, perhaps thinking that Jesus had more important matters to attend to, rebuke the people who were bringing children to Him. But Jesus, “indignant” at their attitude, says, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” What is it about children that makes them models of discipleship? It is their openness, their simplicity, and their trust. Children depend entirely on others and approach the world with a sense of wonder and awe. In the same way, we are called to approach God with humility and trust, recognizing our complete dependence on His love and mercy.
By placing these two themes—marriage and childlike faith—side by side, the Gospel reminds us that authentic love requires both commitment and humility. Just as children trust and rely on their parents, so must spouses rely on God and on each other to sustain and nurture their relationship. Marriage, like faith, calls for a spirit of selflessness and vulnerability. It calls for a heart that is open to giving and receiving love, a heart that is willing to forgive and reconcile.
The second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews further deepens this message. It speaks of Jesus, who “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels” and who tasted death for everyone. Christ’s suffering and death were acts of supreme love and self-gift. He emptied Himself, becoming one with us in our humanity so that we might share in His divine glory. In marriage, spouses are called to a similar self-emptying love—a love that reflects the self-giving love of Christ.
As we reflect on these readings, let us pray for all married couples, that they may be strengthened in their commitment to each other and to God. May they find in Christ the grace to live out their vocation with faithfulness, joy, and perseverance. And may all of us, whether married or single, learn to approach God with childlike hearts, trusting in His love and relying on His grace to guide us through the journey of life.
September 22: Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.
On this Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the readings invite us to reflect on the stark contrast between human selfishness and divine humility, between the desire for greatness and the call to servanthood.
In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we hear the voice of the wicked plotting against the just one, someone who challenges their corrupt ways. They mock the just one’s faith in God, questioning if God will truly protect him in the face of suffering. This foreshadows Christ, the ultimate “Just One,” who would face condemnation, suffering, and death. Jesus’ own life is a witness to this prophecy—He was reviled, tortured, and killed. But in His resurrection, He proved the truth of God’s power and vindication. This reading also reminds us that living righteously often brings opposition, yet we are called to trust in God’s justice, even when it is unseen.
In the second reading, St. James offers a direct teaching on the root of human conflict: jealousy, selfish ambition, and disorder. These inner desires lead to division, both within ourselves and among others. James contrasts this with the wisdom from above, which is pure, peaceable, and full of mercy. We are challenged to look at our own hearts—are we driven by ambition, or by the desire for peace? Do we cultivate humility and gentleness, or do we give in to the passions that wage war within us? Only by embracing God’s wisdom can we bear the fruit of righteousness and peace in our lives.
Finally, in the Gospel, we see the disciples caught up in a very human argument: who among them is the greatest? Jesus, knowing their hearts, teaches them a profound lesson. True greatness, He says, is found not in power or status but in humility and service. To illustrate this, He places a child in their midst. In the ancient world, children were considered the least significant members of society, but Jesus embraces the child and says that receiving one such as this is to receive Him—and, ultimately, to receive God. In this gesture, Jesus turns worldly values upside down. To follow Him is to serve the least, to embrace humility, and to put others before ourselves.
As Christians, we are called to live in this upside-down Kingdom of God, where the last are first and the greatest are those who serve. Let us examine our hearts today and ask for the grace to let go of selfish ambition and to embrace the way of humility, trusting in God’s justice and wisdom. By doing so, we follow the example of Christ, who became the servant of all, and in His service, found true greatness.
September 15: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
Today’s readings invite us to reflect deeply on the nature of discipleship and what it truly means to follow Christ. They challenge us to consider how our faith is lived out in our daily lives and confront us with the reality that genuine faith cannot exist without works. At the heart of these readings, we find the call to self-denial, sacrifice, and the embracing of suffering for the sake of the Gospel.
The first reading from Isaiah is one of the Servant Songs, portraying the suffering servant who willingly endures pain, humiliation, and rejection. “I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.” This figure of the suffering servant foreshadows Christ, who would suffer for the sake of our redemption. Yet, in the midst of this suffering, there is no despair. The servant sets his face “like flint,” firm and resolute, because he knows that the Lord God is his help, and he shall not be put to shame. This passage teaches us that in our trials and tribulations, we, too, must hold fast to the faith that God is with us, giving us strength, even when we face adversity.
In the second reading from the letter of James, we are reminded that faith is not just a matter of belief but must be demonstrated through action. James asks pointedly, “What good is it if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” He provides a stark example: If we see someone in need and offer them only words of comfort without meeting their physical needs, what good is that? James challenges us to a faith that is alive and active—a faith that sees the suffering of others and responds with compassion and concrete help. This passage calls us to examine our own lives and consider how we live out our faith. Are we merely speaking words of faith, or are we actively living it by our deeds?
The Gospel reading from Mark brings these themes together and brings them into sharp focus. Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” and then more personally, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter responds, “You are the Christ.” This confession of faith is significant, yet, when Jesus begins to teach about His coming suffering, death, and resurrection, Peter rebukes Him. Peter cannot accept that the Messiah would suffer and die. In response, Jesus rebukes Peter, saying, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
Jesus’ words are a powerful reminder that discipleship is not about following our own ideas of what it means to be a follower of Christ. It is not about seeking power, comfort, or avoiding suffering. Rather, it is about embracing the way of the cross. Jesus makes it clear: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” To follow Jesus means to let go of our attachments, our desires for comfort and security, and to trust God’s plan for our lives, even when it involves suffering.
The cross is central to our faith. It is a symbol of suffering and sacrifice but also of hope and redemption. Jesus teaches that in losing our lives for His sake and for the sake of the Gospel, we will find true life. It is a paradox, but one that speaks to the very heart of Christian discipleship: true life is found not in self-preservation but in self-giving, not in comfort but in courageous love, even when it leads to the cross.
Today’s readings invite us to embrace this paradox of the cross. They call us to a faith that is more than words or pious thoughts but one that is lived out in actions of love and service. As we meditate on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How is God calling me to take up my cross today? In what ways is He inviting me to serve others, to give of myself, to stand firm in my faith, even in the face of suffering or difficulty?
May we, like the suffering servant in Isaiah, set our faces like flint, confident in the help of the Lord. May our faith be demonstrated through our works, and may we follow Christ courageously, knowing that in losing our lives for His sake, we will find true and eternal life. Amen.
