Twenty-eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time  (2024), Saint Francis of Assisi (ANCC)

[Please let St. Francis of Assisi parish know that you have joined us virtually this week by following this link: https://form.jotform.com/210246206397049 ] Hello everyone and peace! This Sunday, we continue reading from the Gospel of Mark, following last week’s passage where the Pharisees questioned Jesus about divorce. In this week’s Gospel, a man asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells him to follow the commandments, which the man says he has done since childhood. Jesus then tells him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow him. The man leaves sadly because he owns many possessions. At the time of Jesus, not all Jews believed in resurrection and eternal life. The Pharisees did, but the Sadducees did not. Jesus, however, taught that there would be a final judgment and eternal life for those who believe in God. Jesus’ request for the man to give up his wealth shows that following him means not being attached to material things. Some have taken this literally, while others see it as a reminder to hold possessions loosely and not rely on them. Jesus’ second call to the man, “follow me,” is the same invitation he gives to all of us. He truly wanted this man to be his disciple, and he is sad when the man cannot follow. Jesus explains to his disciples how hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God, but he reassures them that with God, anything is possible. Peter points out that the disciples have given up everything to follow Jesus, and Jesus promises they will be rewarded both now and in eternal life. This reminds us that following Jesus brings us into a community of faith, the Church.