As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"…
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."…
"Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God." (Mk 10:17-27)
Three important themes are discussed in today’s reading. They are: eternal life, following Jesus, and salvation. Eternal life is achieved; it seems, by observing the commandments of the Lord. Because when the man questioned Jesus about inheriting eternal life; Jesus in his turn enquires him about observing the commandments. And when the man answers in positive, Jesus is pleased with him.
The next stage, which is following of Jesus, is achieved only by detaching oneself from wealth and material possessions and also by distributing them to the poor. The only hindrance to following of Jesus is attachments particularly to material things. The way out of this is only by distributing the wealth(whatever it may be) to the poor. Shall we say, detachment from material things and attachment to the poor are means of following Jesus.
Salvation is not the work of man. It is impossible for human beings. Man, on his own and on his own efforts can never be saved. Salvation is a gift of God. God gives it freely to whomsoever he wishes. Everything is possible for God. For human beings there are certain things which are possible and there are other things which are impossible. Even the things which are impossible for man is possible for God.
