3/3/2025 (Monday) Today’s Gospel reading: Mark 10:17-27

17 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?”
18 Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.
19 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;
Honour your father and your mother.”
20 He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”
21 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.”
22 At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!”
24 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!
25 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.”
26 They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”

3/3/2025 (Monday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Mark 10:17-27

This passage is not just about money; it is about what holds our hearts. The rich young man obeyed the commandments, but his true devotion lay in his wealth. Jesus lovingly pointed out what was keeping him from fully surrendering to God.

We all have things we hold on to, whether material possessions, ambitions, relationships, or personal comforts. Like the young man, we may appear righteous on the outside, but Jesus sees what truly controls our hearts. He invites us to let go of anything that keeps us from fully trusting Him.

Jesus was not trying to deprive the young man but was offering him something far greater and that is eternal treasure in heaven. This young man had a once-in-a-lifetime invitation to walk with Jesus Himself, yet he chose to hold on to earthly riches.

How often do we do the same? We cling to temporary things, missing out on the abundant life Jesus offers. But when we surrender, God gives us more than we can imagine. He replaces fear with faith, selfishness with love, and temporary wealth with eternal joy.

The disciples were shocked when Jesus said it is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. In their culture, wealth was often seen as a sign of God’s favor. But Jesus turned their thinking upside down: salvation is not earned by wealth, good deeds, or human effort. It is only possible through God’s grace.

No matter how difficult it seems to let go of what ties us down, God gives us the strength to do it. Jesus’ words, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27), remind us that salvation, transformation, and true freedom come only from Him.

This is a call to surrender. Jesus invites each of us to follow Him wholeheartedly. What is He asking us to surrender today? Whether it is fear, pride, possessions, or control, let us go and trust that He has something greater for us. When we release what holds us back, we find true treasure in Him.

Nothing is impossible with God. Let us step forward in faith, and follow Jesus with all our hearts!

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