Receive God’s Goodness

Today’s Gospel Text: And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" 20 And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth." 21 And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22 At that saying his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?" 27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." 28 Peter began to say to him, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you." 29 Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many that are first will be last, and the last first." Mark 10:17-31

Reflection: One of the greatest blessings we humanity have received from God is the gift of Jesus to us.

The incarnation of Jesus is no ordinary event if we truly understand the nature of human beings.

Jesus came to reveal to us the truth of humanity and of God.

Many a times while revealing the many qualities of God he has revealed to us the many human qualities which are in sharp contrast to the character of God.

We believe him because what he has revealed is divine truth, even though at times it is shocking to comprehend such a knowledge about ourselves.

"Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.” (vs. 18)

In this statement of Jesus, we see that Jesus is clear in identifying himself with sinful humanity and proclaiming God alone as good.

At the same time, at this juncture, it would be a right thing to reveal to the seeker the truth about the goodness of God than to tell him the truth about his divinity.

But the greater truth we pick is that no humans, no matter what good he or she does, is no good and can never be good when it comes to the goodness of God.

When Christ is fully revealed as God in our hearts then we will realize the truth and seek that goodness of God which he alone posses. Through the passion and death of Jesus he passes it on to us, as he is with us through his resurrection.

Prayer: Lord, may I acknowledge my limitations and accept your goodness which you offer through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

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