It is generally true that those who have experienced hardship in their lives are more generous with others especially the poor, the stranger. They know what it is like to have nothing, and so are more willing to give something to those who have not. Hence what Jesus said holds true, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?”
This also holds true when we indulge in sinful desires, the ‘riches’ of the world. Wanton sex, want of honour, all that goes against the commandments!
How then can we hope to enter the kingdom of God? Repent! Return to full union with the Lord our God, and He will make it possible for us to be with Him for all eternity. Amen
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First reading
Ecclesiasticus 17:20-28
Return to the Lord and leave sin behind
To those who repent, God permits return, and he encourages those who were losing hope.
Return to the Lord and leave sin behind, plead before his face and lessen your offence.
Come back to the Most High and turn away from iniquity, and hold in abhorrence all that is foul.
Who will praise the Most High in Sheol, if the living do not do so by giving glory to him?
To the dead, as to those who do not exist, praise is unknown, only those with life and health can praise the Lord.
How great is the mercy of the Lord, his pardon on all those who turn towards him!
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Gospel
Mark 10:17-27
Give everything you own to the poor, and follow me
Jesus was setting out on a journey when a man ran up, knelt before him and put this question to him, ‘Good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You must not kill; You must not commit adultery; You must not steal; You must not bring false witness; You must not defraud; Honour your father and mother.’ And he said to him, ‘Master, I have kept all these from my earliest days.’ Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him, and he said, ‘There is one thing you lack. Go and sell everything you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ But his face fell at these words and he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth.
Jesus looked round and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!’ The disciples were astounded by these words, but Jesus insisted, ‘My children,’ he said to them ‘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 a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were more astonished than ever. ‘In that case’ they said to one another ‘who can be saved?’ Jesus gazed at them. ‘For men’ he said ‘it is impossible, but not for God: because everything is possible for God.’
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