Gospel – 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 human beings 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.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
1058 The Church prays that no one should be lost: “Lord, let me never be parted from you.” If it is true that no one can save himself, it is also true that God “desires all men to be saved” (1 Tim 2:4), and that for him “all things are possible.”
2610 Just as Jesus prays to the Father and gives thanks before receiving his gifts, so he teaches us filial boldness: “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will.” Such is the power of prayer and of faith that does not doubt: “all things are possible to him who believes.” Jesus is as saddened by the “lack of faith” of his own neighbors and the “little faith” of his own disciples as he is struck with admiration at the great faith of the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman.
428 Whoever is called “to teach Christ” must first seek “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus”; he must suffer “the loss of all things…” in order to “gain Christ and be found in him,” and “to know him and the power of his resurrection, and [to] share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that if possible [he] may attain the resurrection from the dead.”
2841 This petition is so important that it is the only one to which the Lord returns and which he develops explicitly in the Sermon on the Mount. This crucial requirement of the covenant mystery is impossible for man. But “with God all things are possible.”
275 With Job, the just man, we confess: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
From “The Ark of the New Covenant” Testimony of Catalina Rivas (ARK-81:5, 74:4-5, 79:4-5, 109:15)
81:5) I cry for those who, in order to defend the wealth they have acquired, make many poor people fall into poverty while dozens of rich people become millionaires.
74:4) Neither look with eagerness for riches that come to an end, nor put your heart in them. Do not pursue honors nor praise yourself arrogantly… Do not go after the appetites of the flesh nor let yourself be attracted to those things that will bring you severe punishment.
74:5) Do not wish for a long life, but be careful to use good works in the one that is granted to you… Do not pay attention only to the present life, but get ready for the life to come… Do not love what is ephemeral and transitory, but look with yearning for lasting joy…
79:4) All the riches of earth are mud and nothing compared with the ineffable riches in Heaven. And if you look for honors, the greatest is to be with Me, to earn My approval and to be distinguished by My Father.
79:5) The glory of the world is fleeting and despicable, but the glory to serve Me is true and durable for all eternity. Have you ever encountered a man who at the hour of death was repented of serving Me? And for the worldly, how heavy it is for them at that moment, the services they rendered to the world! And if that does not weight on them, how much more miserable they are!
109:15) Work in My vineyard. Its field is ample and I am the master of the impossible… Because I have compassion for you, I want to save you, to enrich you with My gifts… Pause for a moment in your young life. Be open to the ways of love. I am the infinite Being and I am filled with Charity for each one of you. Young soul, you are the purpose of the glory of creation. Be capable of being the decorum and the good name of My works and the accomplishment of My redemption.
Each week we will be presenting a portion of the following Sunday’s readings, and linking it to relevant parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and messages from the Testimony of Catalina. Pay special attention to the italicized underlined sections. This Sunday it is asked, What kind of soil will you be for the word of God? We hope this is inspiring and educational. Any comments you have are certainly welcomed.
Tim Francis prepared this educational program to help you increase your faith and love for the Holy Trinity and our Blessed Mother. His website is http://YouShallBelieve.com
I have known Tim for many years and recommend his work highly. He is a strong advocate for the “The Real Body and Blood Of Jesus” and the numerous miracles that occur on a daily basis. Both of us are greatly 3inspired by the amazing writings of Catalina Rivas. Catalina is one of the few individuals in history who personally experienced the “Stigmata Of Jesus Christ.”