RICHES IN HEAVEN

Today's 1st reading serves as a warning for all of us not to be led astray by the values that this world hold dear. It is so hard not to be influenced by it because we are still in this world and detaching from it poses a more difficult task than to imbibe the ways of the world and just go with the flow without any resistance. We must master all our courage and strength in sticking to the truth and values that Jesus teaches us in the bible as in the Book of James. Amen. Hallelujah!

James 5:1-6

1 Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries. 2 Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, 3 your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire. You have stored up treasure for the last days. 4 Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous one; he offers you non resistance.

What's most important in life is to store up riches in heaven that we can bring with us when we die. All our material wealth will be left behind and only the good things we've done will follow us.

Psalm 49:14-15ab, 15cd-16, 17-18, 19-20

R: Blessed are the poor spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!

This is the way of those whose trust is folly, the end of those contented with their lot: Like sheep they are herded into the nether world; death is their shepherd and the upright rule over them. R. Quickly their form is consumed; the nether world is their palace. But God will redeem me from the power of the nether world by receiving me. R. Fear not when a man grows rich, when the wealth of his house becomes great, For when he dies, he shall take none of it; his wealth shall not follow him down. R. Though in his lifetime he counted himself blessed, “They will praise you for doing well for yourself,” He shall join the circle of his forebears who shall never more see light. R.

Mark the writer where today’s gospel is taken from was very much around the very people whom we usually look up to as the leaders of the community but fail to reach the mark. In Mark 9: 49-50 it is written, "Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another." During his time, salt was stored in a bag and used in the cooking the way in the same manner tea bags are used. This is to filter the impurities so after use the taste is gone and what's left is just a bag of dirt. Mark was very much around these kinds of people and this is what he was trying to convey in his writings. We should promote the improvement and betterment of our fellow men instead of being suspicious or jealous of them. I t is God's will for us that we all become better and improved people and eventually become the best. We may be encountering some problems at the moment but this should inspire us to see beyond the imperfections of our present situation for God is always at work in our lives and we should not lose sight of what God has in store for those who obey and follow Him. Jesus tells His disciples not to prevent those who drive out demons in His name. Although they are not part of their group, they are not doing something against them. Sometimes we get offensive and instead of attracting people to the faith we tend to drive them away. We can not claim to know everything so it is better to just give people the benefit of the doubt or not judge them outright and just entrust them to Jesus who definitely knows best.  Jesus also warns us of hell. Let us recall also that it is also written in the scriptures about the fig tree which bears no fruit and was thrown into fire to burn. We have to realize that in every sin there is pride. Our sins can bring us to hell if left unrepented.  There is a real need to live in virtue and strive to bear fruit as a Christian. Amen. Hallelujah!

Mark 9:41-50

41 Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. 42 Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe [in me] to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. [44] 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. [46] 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, 48 where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 Everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”