The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Sirach 17:20-24

 Their misdeeds cannot be hidden from him,

All their sins are before the Lord.  He holds a man’s almsgiving dear as a priceless signet ring; he cherishes a good deed like the apple of his eye.

One day he will rise and reward them; he will place their prize on their heads. He allows those who repent to return; he comforts those whose hopes are fading.

 

Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6,7 

Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Mark 10:17-27

 Just as Jesus was setting out on his jour­ney again, a man ran up, knelt before him and asked, “Good Master, what must I do to have eternal life?”  Jesus answered, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not cheat, honor your father and mother.” The man replied, “I have obeyed all these commandments since my childhood.”

 Then Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him and he said, “For you, one thing is lacking. Go, sell what you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and follow me.” On hearing these words, his face fell and he went away sorrowful for he was a man of great wealth.

 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were shocked at these words, but Jesus insisted, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

They were more astonished than ever and wondered, “Who, then, can be saved?” Jesus looked steadily at them and said, “For humans it is impossible, but not for God; all things are possible with God.”

     

Gospel Reflection：

Some of us genuinely love the Lord, but only at the comfort of our own pace. We are good in our own way. Sometimes, we wish our goodness to be validated by God. Some of us are bothered with the idea that perhaps we could do more. And so we turn to God and ask what more could we do.

And the answer comes with its great challenge. Leave everything behind and start a new life with nothing except the Lord. This is a call to greatness. If we refuse, our ordinary life will continue. God will not punish us. But the knowledge that we have turned our back on God's invitation will forever haunt us.