Sunday Reflections | 28th Sunday in Ordinary Times

By SIDTP SoCom

Published on October 13, 2024

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.”

The man 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 the man’s 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.”

In today’s Gospel, we encounter a rich young man who approaches Jesus with an earnest question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” This man seems to have it all—wealth, status, and a strong sense of morality. Yet, deep down, he feels something is missing.

Jesus responds by reminding him of the commandments, which the young man insists he has followed since his youth. But then Jesus looks at him with love and says something surprising: “One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

This call challenges the young man, who walks away sad because he has great wealth. This moment teaches us that our attachments can sometimes hold us back from fully embracing God’s call. Jesus is not saying that wealth itself is bad, but He is highlighting that we must not let material possessions take priority over our relationship with God.

Afterward, Jesus explains to His disciples how difficult it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God. He uses the image of a camel going through the eye of a needle to illustrate this point. The disciples are astonished and ask, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus replies, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

This reminds us that salvation is not about our own efforts alone. It’s a gift from God, and He can transform even the hardest of hearts.

Jesus also reassures His followers that those who leave everything behind for Him will receive a hundred times as much in this life and eternal life in the age to come. This promise encourages us to trust in God’s provision and to prioritize our faith over worldly concerns.

As we reflect on this Gospel, let’s consider what might be holding us back from following Jesus fully. Are there attachments in our lives that we need to let go of? How can we be more generous with our time, resources, and love?

May we strive to follow Jesus more closely, trusting that He will guide us and provide for us as we seek to live out our faith.