1st READING
Prudence is a virtue that is often underestimated. If it were observed more, there would be fewer financial problems. Prudence is associated with discernment. However, discernment is not one of the traits that people seek to develop today. We are more interested in simple, easy fixes, even when the problems are huge and complex. We lack the capacity to recognize what is needed in a given situation. Prudence will always remind us of this.
Wisdom 7:7-11
7 I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded and the spirit of wisdom came to me. 8 I preferred her to scepter and throne, and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her, 9 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. 10 Beyond health and comeliness I loved her, and I chose to have her rather than the light, because the splendor of her never yields to sleep. 11 Yet all good things together came to me in her company, and countless riches at her hands.
P S A L M
Psalm 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17
R: Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. 13 Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! (R) 14 Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days. 15 Make us glad, for the days when you afflicted us, for the years when we saw evil. (R) 16 Let your work be seen by your servants and your glory by their children; 17 and may the gracious care of the Lord our God be ours; prosper the work of our hands for us! Prosper the work of our hands! (R)
2nd READING
One of the greatest gifts God has given us is the Scriptures. Today’s reading reminds us that the Word of God is capable of slicing between soul and spirit. We need to draw on the power of God’s Word when we need it the most — in times of temptation when we need to stand on the promises of the Lord; in times when we doubt our faith and we need to trust in His promises.
Hebrews 4:12-13
12 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. 13 No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
GOSPEL
Jesus is not afraid to “ruffle the feathers” of those who think they are well-off with God’s blessings and the gift of salvation. Today, He targets the wealthy and challenges them about how they are using their wealth as this could determine their salvation. If they live selfishly, then they will be in danger of losing their salvation. If they are generous to the poor, they will gain their lives for eternity.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 10:17-30
17 As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 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 defraud; honor your father and your mother.” 20 He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” 21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “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 30 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.”
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