Rich, young AND man | Mark – 10:17-30

Summary

Father 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.