SOCL, Sunday28B

Sunday October 13, 2024

Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; come, follow me.

See

We all have our own “emotional programmes for happiness.” These are are part of who we are from a very young age, structured around what was happening then in our lives. To continue in these attitudes well beyond the need for them is the common human experience. At the same time, the call to be fully alive entails some kind of conversion, some kind of letting go. Commonly, something triggers this growth and we become aware of hitherto unrecognised blocks. We may even have the help of someone like Jesus to put his/her finger on the hidden hesitations.

Listen

Wisdom 7:7-11; Psalm 90 (89); Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30

Reflect

(Mark 10:17-30)

-We often get satisfaction from the things we own, clothes, cars, homes, gadgets, or money. There would be something unnatural if we did not. But what happens to us when our possessions begin to ‘own’ us, when they take a hold us, when we become obsessed with them? Jesus seeks followers who have the freedom to let go of possessions in order to be a servant of others. In whom have you seen this freedom? When have you experienced it yourself ?

-Growth implies change. That change sometimes means letting go of something we have at this moment: job, status, home, security, or something else we value. There can be an apparent loss in letting go but when have you found that you gained by having the freedom to let go of something you had previously clung to?

-The disciples thought that Jesus was making impossible demands of people following him. He acknowledged that discipleship was impossible to us on our own efforts alone. How have you experienced the benefits of the help of others and of God when you were faced with difficulties in life?

Pray

God of wisdom, whose word probes the motives of our hearts, with you all things are possible. Let worldly treasure not keep us from Jesus who looks on us with love. Free us to leave all things and follow him, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy

References

Fill Us With Your Love, O Lord