💖 HOMILY - MARCH 3 💖

First Reading - Ecclesiasticus 17:20-28 

Gospel - Mark 10:17-27

The readings today invite us to reflect on repentance, detachment, and trust in God. They remind us that God’s mercy is always available, but we must have the courage to turn to Him completely and not let anything hold us back.  

The first reading from Sirach reassures us that God is always ready to welcome sinners who return to Him. No matter how far we have strayed, His mercy is greater than our failures. However, we must not take this mercy for granted. The passage warns us against delaying our conversion, thinking we can return to God whenever we please. True repentance is not just about feeling sorry but about making a real change in our hearts and lives. It means turning away from sin and choosing to live in God’s ways today, not tomorrow.  

The Gospel presents the encounter between Jesus and the rich young man. This man sincerely desires eternal life and has followed the commandments since his youth. Yet, when Jesus asks him to sell his possessions and follow Him, he goes away sad. His attachment to wealth prevents him from fully surrendering to God. This moment challenges all of us: What are we unwilling to let go of for the sake of following Christ? It may not be wealth, but it could be pride, comfort, or the fear of change.  

Jesus’ words about how difficult it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God remind us that it is not riches themselves that are the problem, but our attachment to them. When we place our security in wealth, status, or personal achievements rather than in God, we struggle to trust Him fully. However, Jesus assures us that what is impossible for human beings is possible for God. If we rely on our own strength, we will fail, but if we trust in God’s grace, He will transform our hearts and make the impossible possible.  

These readings call us to examine our lives. Are we truly seeking God with all our hearts, or are we clinging to things that keep us from following Him completely? Repentance means letting go of whatever separates us from God and allowing Him to guide our lives. The path to eternal life is not easy, but with God, all things are possible.  

Let us ask for the grace to recognize what holds us back and the courage to surrender it to the Lord. May we trust in His mercy, respond to His call with open hearts, and follow Him without hesitation.