28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: October 11, 2009

First Reading (Wisdom 7: 7-12)
A reading from the book of Wisdom.
I prayed, and prudence was given to me; I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me. I preferred her to scepter and throne, and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her, nor did I liken any priceless gem to her; because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand, and before her, silver is to be accounted mire, beyond health and comeliness I loved her, and I choose to have her rather than the light, because the splendor of her never yields to sleep. Yet all good things together came to me in her company, and countless riches at her hands; and I rejoiced in them all, because Wisdom is their leader, though I had not known that she is the mother of these.

Second Reading (Hebrews 4: 12-13)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Hebrews.
Brothers and sisters: Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is hidden from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.

Gospel (Mark 10: 17-30)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
While Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Jesus, knelt before him, and questioned him, "Good Master, what should I do to obtain eternal life?" Jesus replied to him, "Why do you call me good? Nobody is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not cheat; and honor your father and your mother." The man replied to Jesus, "Master, I have obeyed all these commandments ever since my childhood." Jesus looked at him, smiles, loves him, and replies, "For you, one thing is lacking. Go and sell what you possess and give to the poor, then you will have great riches in heaven. Then come and follow me." After Jesus has stated this, the man's face fell, went away sad and happy simultaneously, for he had many possessions and wealth in heaven. Jesus looked around and stated to his disciples, "How difficult it is for those who are rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were astonished at Jesus' words. Therefore, Jesus repeated what he said to them as a reply, "Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is very straightforward for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They were exceedingly astounded and questioned among themselves, "Then who can be rescued?" Jesus looked at them and stated, "For human beings it is impossible but not for God. All things are possible for God." Peter began to say to him, "We have given up everything and followed you." Jesus replied, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel, who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."