Rich, young AND man | Mark – 10:17-30

Warner D'Souza

9 Oct 202118:35

Summary

TLDRFather Warner encourages the faithful to return to church as places of worship reopen in Mumbai, emphasizing the importance of attending mass in person. Reflecting on the Gospel passage from Mark 10:17-30, he explores the story of the rich young man and Jesus' challenge to give up material wealth to follow him. Father Warner discusses the deeper meaning of true discipleship and the difficulty for the rich to enter God's kingdom when wealth becomes an idol. He concludes by urging the community to prioritize spiritual growth and reconnect with their faith.

Takeaways

🙏 Father Warner encourages people to return to church as churches in Mumbai have reopened.
📖 The homily focuses on the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10, verses 17-30, where a rich young man asks Jesus about eternal life.
💰 The rich young man had many possessions and struggled with Jesus’ command to give them up for treasures in heaven.
😇 Jesus emphasizes that wealth can become a barrier to entering the Kingdom of God, especially when it becomes an idol.
🪙 Wealth in itself is not condemned, but relying on it more than on God is the issue Jesus addresses.
🙌 Following Jesus requires giving up everything that takes precedence over God, including attachments to wealth and sin.
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Jesus highlights the importance of human interactions through commandments, emphasizing love and moral behavior toward others.
❌ The young man mistakenly believed he could earn eternal life through actions or wealth, not realizing the need for total surrender to God.
💡 Father Warner encourages viewers to reflect on what they need to fully give up in order to truly follow Christ.
🏠 He urges people not to make online mass a comfort zone and invites them to come back to church for in-person worship.

Q & A

What is the primary message Father Warner conveys in his homily?
-Father Warner emphasizes the importance of detachment from material wealth to fully follow Jesus. He stresses that it’s not about condemning wealth but rather ensuring that it doesn't become an idol or a barrier to discipleship and eternal life.
Why does Father Warner encourage people to return to church despite online masses?
-Father Warner urges people to physically return to church as a way to fully engage in worship, fellowship, and religious education. He points out that if people are comfortable resuming other aspects of daily life like school and work, they should also prioritize attending church in person.
How does the rich young man in the Gospel story initially approach Jesus, and what is notable about his greeting?
-The rich young man addresses Jesus as 'Good Master,' which is notable because it is an unprecedented and somewhat effusive greeting. Jesus quickly addresses the flattery, asking why the young man calls Him good, implying that only God is truly good.
What is the significance of the rich young man’s question, 'What must I do to inherit eternal life?'
-The young man's question suggests he believes he can 'do' something specific to earn eternal life, almost as if he expects a to-do list. This reflects his misunderstanding that salvation cannot be achieved through actions or wealth but through following Jesus wholeheartedly.
What commandments does Jesus reference when speaking to the rich young man, and why is this significant?
-Jesus references commandments from the second table of the Decalogue, which deal with human interactions, such as not committing adultery, not stealing, and honoring parents. This is significant because it highlights the young man's moral behavior towards others, but it omits commandments about one's relationship with God, which Jesus later addresses.
Why does Jesus ask the rich young man to sell everything he owns?
-Jesus asks the rich young man to sell everything to confront the young man’s attachment to his wealth. By asking him to give up his possessions, Jesus challenges him to remove the idol of wealth from his life and put God first, as per the first commandment.
What does the phrase 'it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle' mean in this context?
-The phrase illustrates how difficult it is for a rich person, who may be overly attached to wealth, to enter the kingdom of God. It emphasizes the challenge of detachment from material possessions when they become more important than following God.
What is the disciples' reaction to Jesus’ teaching about wealth and salvation, and why are they perplexed?
-The disciples are perplexed because, in their cultural context, wealth was seen as a blessing from God, and those who were wealthy were believed to be favored by God. Jesus’ teaching that wealth can be a hindrance to salvation contradicts this belief, leaving them confused.
What is the 'first and fundamental commandment' that Jesus implies the young man is failing to keep?
-The first and fundamental commandment is 'I am the Lord your God; you shall have no other gods before me.' Jesus implies that the young man has made wealth his god, failing to place God above all else, which is the root of his spiritual problem.
Why does Father Warner emphasize the distinction between 'doing something for Jesus' and 'following Jesus'?
-Father Warner emphasizes that 'doing something for Jesus,' such as charitable acts, is good but not enough. True discipleship requires fully following Jesus, which involves giving up sin and attachments completely, not just doing good deeds as a substitute for true spiritual commitment.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 Encouragement to Attend Church and Introduction to the Gospel

Father Warner begins by encouraging viewers to attend church as physical services have resumed in Mumbai. He acknowledges that some will miss the online masses but reassures them that he will continue to preach Sunday homilies. He shares the plan to record his homily live and discusses the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, introducing the Gospel reading from Mark 10:17-30, the story of the rich young man seeking eternal life. Father Warner sets the context, asking viewers to follow along in their Bibles.

05:03

📖 Analysis of the Rich Young Man's Encounter with Jesus

Father Warner begins analyzing the passage, focusing on the rich young man’s approach to Jesus. He explains how the man addressed Jesus as 'Good Master,' an unprecedented and effusive title in the Bible. Jesus immediately cuts through the man's flattery, highlighting that only God is good. Warner points out the possible arrogance in the young man, who seemed to believe his wealth or deeds could buy him a place in heaven. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus was addressing the man’s reliance on wealth, not condemning wealth itself.

10:03

💰 The Young Man's Superficial Approach and Jesus' Response

The sermon delves deeper into the young man’s claim of having kept all the commandments since his youth. Father Warner explains that Jesus focuses on the 'second table' of the Decalogue, which deals with human interactions, such as not committing adultery, stealing, or dishonoring parents. The young man boasts about his adherence to these, but Jesus shifts the focus to the 'first table,' dealing with one's relationship with God. The heart of the issue is revealed: the young man has made wealth his idol, breaking the fundamental commandment to worship God alone.

15:04

🛐 Jesus' Radical Call to Give Everything

Father Warner explores Jesus' command to the young man to sell all his possessions and follow Him. This radical call challenges the man’s priorities, as his wealth had become his god. Warner explains that wealth, in Jewish tradition, was seen as a blessing, so the disciples were confused by Jesus' statement that it is difficult for the rich to enter God's kingdom. The man’s attachment to his possessions was preventing him from fully committing to discipleship, and Warner highlights how the story reflects the cost of following Christ entirely.

🙌 Following Jesus vs. Doing Good Deeds

Father Warner contrasts doing something for Jesus with following Him entirely. Many people prefer to perform good deeds, such as charity, without fully surrendering their lives to Christ. He emphasizes that true discipleship requires giving up everything, especially sin, and fully committing to following Jesus. Warner encourages listeners to reflect on their own willingness to give up their idols and follow Christ wholeheartedly, reinforcing that the call to discipleship is about being with Christ, not just doing acts of service.

🏦 Wealth and the Kingdom of Heaven

Father Warner clarifies that wealth is not inherently condemned in the Bible. However, when wealth becomes an idol, it can hinder one's path to salvation. He explains the metaphor of a camel passing through the eye of a needle, illustrating the difficulty for those who idolize wealth to enter heaven. Warner urges the congregation to reflect on their attachment to material possessions and encourages them to return to church, especially now that restrictions have been eased. He ends with a call to action, reminding viewers of the importance of community worship and sharing their testimonies of faith.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Eternal Life

Eternal life refers to the ultimate goal of a Christian life, living forever with God. In the video, the rich young man asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, reflecting the common spiritual desire to secure one's place in heaven. This concept forms the core of the conversation between the man and Jesus, where Jesus emphasizes the deeper commitment required for eternal life beyond following rules.

💡Rich Young Man

The rich young man is the central figure in the scripture from Mark, used in the video to illustrate a moral lesson. He approaches Jesus seeking advice on how to inherit eternal life. Although he is depicted as morally upright, his wealth becomes a stumbling block when Jesus asks him to sell his possessions and follow him, symbolizing how material wealth can hinder spiritual growth.

💡Commandments

The commandments, particularly the Ten Commandments from the Old Testament, are a set of laws given by God. In the video, Jesus references the second table of the commandments, which focuses on human-to-human interactions, such as not stealing or committing adultery. The rich young man claims to have followed these laws, but Jesus points out that simply adhering to rules isn't enough for spiritual fulfillment.

💡Wealth

Wealth in the context of this video is not condemned outright but is portrayed as a spiritual hindrance when it becomes an idol. The rich young man's wealth represents his attachment to material possessions, which Jesus identifies as a barrier to his spiritual progress. The challenge posed by Jesus to 'sell everything' highlights the tension between material wealth and true discipleship.

💡Follow Me

Jesus's command to 'follow me' goes beyond physical actions and implies a complete surrender of one's life to God. This phrase is key to understanding Jesus's message to the rich young man, as it indicates that salvation requires total dedication and renunciation of worldly attachments. Following Christ means prioritizing spiritual life over material wealth and personal desires.

💡Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God refers to the realm where God's will is fulfilled, both on earth and in heaven. Jesus explains that it is difficult for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God, emphasizing how reliance on wealth can prevent spiritual entry into this divine realm. This concept is a central theme in the video, linking material detachment to the ability to enter the Kingdom.

💡Human Interaction

Human interaction in this context refers to the part of the commandments that deal with relationships between individuals, such as not stealing or lying. Jesus emphasizes these interactions to show the rich young man that moral behavior alone isn't sufficient for spiritual salvation, subtly pointing to the deeper need for a right relationship with God, which the man’s attachment to wealth disrupts.

💡First Commandment

The First Commandment, 'I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me,' is highlighted by Jesus to point out the rich young man’s spiritual flaw. By prioritizing his wealth, the young man is effectively breaking this commandment, showing that his attachment to material goods is an obstacle to fully worshiping God. This commandment forms the basis of Jesus's challenge to the young man.

💡Discipleship

Discipleship involves following Jesus’s teachings and living in accordance with His example. In the video, Jesus's call to 'follow me' is an invitation to true discipleship, which requires the rich young man to give up his wealth. Discipleship here is seen as more than just obeying commandments; it is about a life of complete devotion to Christ.

💡Sacrifice

Sacrifice in this video refers to the act of giving up material or personal attachments for the sake of spiritual growth. Jesus's demand for the rich young man to sell his possessions and give to the poor is a call for personal sacrifice. This concept is central to the idea of discipleship, where following Jesus requires letting go of anything that hinders a full commitment to God.

Highlights

Father Warner encourages the faithful to return to church as churches in Mumbai have reopened.

Father Warner shares that the Gospel reading is from Mark 10:17-30, the story of the rich young man.

Parallel passages of the same story can be found in Matthew 19:16-30 and Luke 18:18-30.

The rich young man is described as having many things going right, but his story ends with him grieving because of his possessions.

Jesus challenges the rich young man by asking him to sell his possessions and give the money to the poor.

The man's wealth becomes an obstacle to fully following Jesus, showing how attachment to material possessions can hinder spiritual growth.

Jesus highlights the difficulty for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God, comparing it to a camel passing through the eye of a needle.

Jesus emphasizes that salvation is not possible through human effort alone, but with God, all things are possible.

The rich young man approached Jesus with superficial flattery, calling him 'Good Master,' but Jesus saw through the empty praise.

Father Warner points out that Jesus did not provide the man with a 'to-do' list, but rather a call to prioritize God over wealth.

Father Warner emphasizes that Jesus's demand to give up everything is radical, but not unreasonable, given that Jesus gave his life for humanity.

The homily reflects on how many people prefer to 'do something' for Jesus rather than fully follow him, which requires total surrender.

Father Warner encourages a return to church, emphasizing the importance of worship and not using online Mass as a permanent alternative.

The priest mentions that the city of Mumbai is open, and people are returning to schools and airports, which should motivate them to return to church.

Father Warner concludes by inviting people to share their testimonies of faith and how they have been touched by the homily.