What's His Name?
Jesus and the rich man
Announcements for October 9, 2021:
The Diocesan Ministries Appeal is going on now. Check out this two-minute video to see how your support of the DMA translates into food for those most in need. Click here to give today.
We are thrilled to host the Blessed Carlo Acutis Eucharistic Miracles Display this weekend! Stop by the school on Saturday (8:30-10:00am and 4:00-7:00pm) or Sunday (8:30am-1:00pm) to view the exhibit.
If you've been wondering about the recent successes of OLMC School, you'll want to join us on October 15th for the first Light of the World Tour this year. Register now to discover the OLMC difference!
The Gala is back, and we're gonna party like it's 1999. (This time, with dancing!) As always, you make the event a success - sponsor the event or buy tickets/tables today!
Our young adult group (ages 18-39) will meet again for prayer and fellowship on Friday, October 15th. Let me know if you'd like more information.
Visit our Parishioner Portal for up-to-date announcements.
Dear Saints,
We've got a lot to think about and pray through in our Gospel passage this weekend, so let's get right to it. Check out this exchange between Jesus and a rich man:
[The rich man] replied and said to [Jesus], "Teacher, all of these [commandments] I have observed from my youth."
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."
At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
The rich man went away sad, but what upsets me is that we don't know his name.
In the New Testament we meet any number of minor characters whose names we know. Presumably, this is because these people were known members of the early Church. Their eye-witness accounts - the testimony of their personal encounters with Jesus - were faithfully repeated and recorded with proper attribution.
As an example, we know that Simon of Cyrene helped Jesus to carry his cross. The best explanation we have for our knowing his name (and that anyone at all helped Jesus to carry his cross) is that people knew Simon and his story.
But this character, no. We don't know his name, and this suggests he never came back to Jesus. It's unbelievably sad!
The rich man was so caught up in his ego-inflating pursuits that he could not heed the call of Christ to go the way of self-gift. For all time he will be defined by what he had, but a man's greatness is found in what he gives away in God's service.
In the end, no amount of worldly riches is worth our repeating this man's miserly and miserable mistake. Trusting and following Jesus in all things and at all times, we become rich in what matters most (Love) and discover wealth that endures forever.
I love you, my friends, and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Christ's Peace,
Father Daniel
δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ
Preparing for Mass?
Check out this weekend's readings:
The Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Christ and the Rich Young Ruler
Heinrich Hofmann, 1889