Daily Gospel Reflection for October 13, 2024

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Mark 10:17-30

God is asking you to give Him everything!

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the American dream as “the ideal that every citizen of the United States should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.” Perhaps our preoccupation with "success and prosperity" is why there are such high rates of depression and anxiety in our country. Ultimately, such goals will neither save our souls nor grant us eternal life and the glory of Our Lord Jesus.

Though in this world we are continually deceived that happiness can be found by the pursuit of money and/or status, we must relinquish this tendency. It is in the stripping of one's desires, such as that prayed in the Litany of Humility, that we should strive. True faith is to turn all trust for security to God alone. Easier said than done when we are distracted by the worldliness that surrounds us. As is said, what good is it to gain the whole world but lose one's soul in the process?

It is an understatement to say how difficult it can be to avoid becoming sidetracked by materialism in today's society. In the Bible In a Year Study Guide, Bobby Semendy writes, "Material possessions, at the end of the age, are worth little and are often distractions from doing the will of God." He adds, "Material things are to serve our material needs and nothing more. Those who accrue material wealth at the expense of the poor and downtrodden are condemned in many places in the Sacred Scriptures and in the writings of the Fathers." Reading through related quotes by many saints was very uncomfortable: Do I hoard clothing, food, or money that the poor could use?

There is always so much more we could do to share with others in need, it can feel overwhelming and even an impossible task. Through our own efforts, we will never have enough merit to enter God's kingdom. However, by God's grace, all things are possible. We must therefore turn to Him, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, and ask for His guidance and pardon.

Ponder:

Do I give my all to God, heart and soul? What are the materialistic possessions I must let go of to further my relationship with Jesus Christ?

Pray:

Lord God, help us to recognize that what our heart longs for will only ever be satisfied by You and nothing that this world can provide. Help us give You all we have, which will further Your will and the care of others.

Daily Gospel 4