Oct. 14, 2012
Dear brothers and sisters:
The Gospel this Sunday (Mk 10,17-20) has wealth as its principal theme. Jesus teaches that for a rich man, it would be very difficult to enter the Kingdom of God, but not impossible.
In fact, God can conquer the heart of a person who possesses many goods and impel him to solidarity and sharing with those who are needy, with the poor, to enter, therefore, into the logic of giving. In this way, the rich man puts himself along the path of Jesus Christ, who, as St. Paul wrote, "for your sake (he) became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich" (2Cor 8,9).
As it often happens in the Gospel, it arises from a meeting: that of Jesus with someone who" had many possessions" (Mk 10,22). He was a man who, from his youth, faithfully observed all the commandments of God's Law, but had not yet found true happiness. That is why he asks Jesus what he must do "to inherit eternal life" (v 17).
On the one hand, he is attracted, like everyone, to the fullness of life; on the other hand, having been accustomed to counting on his wealth, he thinks that eternal life can somehow also be 'acquired', perhaps by observing a special commandment.
Jesus grasps the profound desire in this person, and. the evangelist notes, looks at the man with much love - God's look (v 21). But Jesus also understood what was the man's weak point, which was his attachment to his worldly goods. And so, he proposes that he give al1 of it to the poor, so that his treasure - and therefore his heart - is no longer on earth, but in heaven. He adds, "Come, follow me" (v 32).
But the man, instead of welcoming Jesus's invitation joyfully, "went away sad" (cfr v 23), because he could not detach himself from his wealth which would never give him happiness and eternal life.
At this point, Jesus gives his teaching to his disciples, and to us: "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” (v 23). At these words, the disciples were disconcerted, and even more so when Jesus added, "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" (cfr vv 24-27).
But seeing their astonishment, he says, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God” (cfr vv 23-27).
St. Clement of Alexandria comments: "The parable teaches the rich that they should not ignore their salvation as if they were already condemned, nor should they throw their riches into the sea, nor condemn wealth as insidious and hostile to life, but they should learn in what way they can use their wealth to gain life" (Who among the rich will be saved?, 27,1-2).
The history of the Church is full of examples of rich persons who used their wealth in an evangelical way, and who have even attained sainthood. Just think of St. Francis, or St. Elizabeth of Hungary, or San Carlo Borromeo.
May the Virgin Mary, Seat of Wisdom, help us to welcome Jesus's invitation with joy, in order to enter into the fullness of life.
After the prayers, he said:
Yesterday, Frederick Bachstein and 13 of his bothers in the Order of Friars Minor [Franciscan Capuchins) were beatified in Prague. They were killed in 1611 because of their faith. They are the first Blesseds in this Year of Faith, and they are martyrs: They remind us that to believe in Christ also means being ready to suffer with him and for him.
In English, he said:
During this Year of Faith may we, like the man in today’s Gospel, have the courage to ask the Lord what more can we do, especially for the poor, the lonely, the sick and the suffering, so as to be witnesses and heirs to the eternal life God promises. Upon all of you, I invoke God’s abundant blessings of peace.
To the Polish pilgrims, he said:
Today in Poland, and in all the Polish parishes around the world, you are celebrating Pope's Day with the theme, 'John Paul II - the Pope of the Family". I thank you for this sign of unity with the Holy See, for your prayers, and for your support of the young scholars of the Foundation "Works of the Third Millennium" which is in charge of preparing Pope's Day.
I hope that in every Polish mily, the living flame of faith, of goodness and of evangelical love may shine. I bless you from the heart.