| Homily
for the 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time: October 14/15,
2006
Given by the Most
Reverend Stephen E. Blaire at the Cathedral of the Annunciation
in Stockton.
The young man asked Jesus a great question.
“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Sometimes people think that by focusing on eternal
life one misses the importance of this life. Some even think
that those who believe in life after death bring harm to the
world in which we live. For example, Sam Harris in his best
seller, “The End of Faith” wrote: “Certainty
about the next life is simply incompatible with tolerance
in this one.” His whole idea is that believers create
intolerance in the world leading to wars, hatred and violence.
This, of course, is not the teaching of Jesus. Jesus talks
about observing the commandments, being generous to the poor,
and following Him.
Mark has given us in this story about the rich
young man, a summary of the Christian way of life. First of
all the Christian keeps the commandments. This is basic. The
Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the ten commandments
take on their full meaning within the covenant of love between
God and His people. Keeping the commandments is a way of responding
to God’s love. Secondly, and essential to the Christian
way of life, is generosity to the poor. St. Ambrose the great
4th century bishop of the church wrote this: “Christ
urges you, when you ask forgiveness for yourself, to be especially
generous to others, so that your actions may commend your
prayers.” I think that it can be said that if you are
not a generous person you really do not belong in the Catholic
Church because you deny Christ by your selfishness. Again
it is St. Ambrose who reminds us that the badge of membership
in the body of Christ is love for each other. Thirdly, to
be a Christian is to follow Christ. This means that we imitate
Christ by seeking the will of God and as disciples accept
Christ’s teaching as the revealed word of God.
The disciples were astonished at what Jesus
had to say, especially about the difficulties created by riches.
They talked among themselves saying: “Then who can be
saved?”
The words of Jesus are most encouraging to us: “For
human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things
are possible for God.”
What must I do to inherit eternal life?
Keep the commandments, be generous to the poor and follow
Jesus Christ.
Last Update February 28, 2007
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