28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

• First Reading – Wisdom 7:7-11: I prayed for wisdom, valuing her above riches, health, and beauty. With her, I received all good things and countless riches.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 90: Teach us to value our days, fill us with your love, and show your glory to us and our children. Establish and bless the work of our hands.
• Second Reading – Hebrews 4:12-13: God’s word is powerful, discerning our deepest thoughts and intentions. Nothing is hidden from his sight; everything is exposed, and we are accountable to him.
• Gospel – Mark 10:17-30 or Mark 10:17-27: A man asked Jesus about inheriting eternal life. Jesus told him to follow the commandments and to sell his possessions. The man left sad. Jesus taught how difficult it is for the rich to enter God’s kingdom but affirmed that all things are possible with God.

The 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B readings focus on the wisdom of God and the challenge of following Jesus. The messages encourage believers to seek God’s wisdom and prioritize spiritual wealth over material wealth.

• Value of Wisdom: The first reading shows how King Solomon prayed for wisdom and valued it above all riches. This teaches us to seek God’s wisdom, which is more precious than any material wealth.
• Living Word of God: The second reading from Hebrews reminds us that God’s word is alive and powerful. It can judge our thoughts and desires, urging us to live according to God’s teachings.
• Detachment from Riches: In the Gospel, Jesus tells the rich young man to sell all he has and follow Him. This shows the challenge of letting go of earthly possessions to fully commit to Jesus.
• Following Jesus: Jesus’ call to the rich young man is a reminder for all of us to follow Him without reservation. It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing our relationship with Jesus over anything else.
• Eternal Life: The rich young man asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Jesus’ response teaches that eternal life is a gift from God that requires faith and dedication to His commandments.
• God’s Impossible Made Possible: Jesus tells His disciples that it is hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God, but nothing is impossible with God. This reassures us that God can help us overcome any obstacles in our spiritual journey.

The readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B encourage us to seek God’s wisdom and prioritize our spiritual journey. By following Jesus and trusting in God’s power, we can overcome the challenges of earthly attachments and strive for eternal life.

See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

For Love or Money: A Lesson Plan on Wealth

For the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, this lesson plan encourages youth to examine if money and wealth hinder their discipleship. Based on Mark 10:17-30, it teaches that while wealth is not inherently bad, an attachment to it can lead us away from God. Jesus warns that focusing on material goods can make it hard to follow Him. St. Ignatius of Loyola also advised indifference to wealth to prioritize serving God. Youth are encouraged to consider their relationship with money and choose to follow God’s will over material possessions.

Camel through the Eye of a Needle Race

For the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, this game helps illustrate the Gospel message from Mark 10:17-30. Set up an obstacle course with a tight squeeze at the end. Teams attach “saddlebags” made from pillowcases to a teammate acting as a camel. The camel carries balloons through the course without using their hands to touch the saddlebags. If they fail, they start over. This fun activity teaches how hard it can be to pass through a narrow space, echoing Jesus’ message about the difficulty for the rich to enter God’s kingdom.

Eternal God Prayer – Based on Psalm 90

The prayer based on Psalm 90 for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B praises God’s eternal nature and seeks His guidance to use our days wisely. It acknowledges God’s constant presence and care, despite our lives seeming insignificant in comparison. The prayer asks for forgiveness and mercy for past mistakes and seeks guidance on how to serve God effectively, expressing joy in serving Him.

Understanding the Book of Hebrews

In Hebrews 3:1-10:18, Jesus is compared to the priests of the Old Testament, showing Him as the perfect high priest who offered Himself as the final sacrifice for our sins. This includes teachings on Jesus fulfilling the high priest’s role and the new covenant He brings. The Second Reading for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B is Hebrews 4:12-13. Hebrews helps us understand Jesus as our high priest and perfect sacrifice, giving us confidence in our faith. It also teaches about faith, perseverance, and community, connecting the Old and New Testaments and deepening our understanding of God’s plan.

Gospel of Mark: Resources and Reflections

The Gospel for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B is Mark 10:17-30. Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem intensifies His teachings on true discipleship, calling for self-denial and bearing one’s cross. In Mark 10:1-31, Jesus addresses marriage and wealth. He reaffirms marriage’s sacredness, emphasizing lifelong commitment and denouncing divorce as a result of hardened hearts. When a rich young man asks about eternal life, Jesus tells him to sell his possessions and follow Him, highlighting the challenge wealth poses to spiritual growth. Jesus teaches the need to prioritize God over material wealth and trust in Him.

It’s Time for a Radical Choice

In this homily for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, Bishop Robert Barron explores the value of wisdom over worldly goods. He discusses Solomon’s choice to seek wisdom above riches and how Jesus challenges the rich young man to give up his possessions for eternal life. Barron highlights the struggle to detach from material wealth and embrace true wisdom, which is seeing life from God’s perspective.

The readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B offer us rich lessons about seeking wisdom, the living word of God, and the challenge of following Jesus. These reflections help us understand the value of wisdom, the importance of God’s word, and the need to detach from worldly possessions. Let us open our hearts to these messages and grow in our faith.

Value of Wisdom

In the first reading for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, Solomon prays for wisdom, asking for it above all other things. He says that wisdom is more valuable than power, wealth, and even health. This teaches us that true wisdom comes from God and is more precious than anything we can possess.

Solomon’s choice shows that seeking God’s wisdom should be our priority. Worldly riches and honors are temporary and can lead us away from God. But wisdom helps us live according to God’s will and leads us to eternal life.

As we reflect on Solomon’s prayer, let us ask God to grant us wisdom. Let us value it above all else and use it to guide our decisions and actions. Wisdom will help us to live faithfully and grow closer to God.

Living Word of God

The second reading for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B from Hebrews tells us that God’s word is alive and powerful. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. This reminds us of the power of God’s word in our lives.

God’s word is not just written text; it is active and speaks to us personally. It reveals our innermost thoughts and guides us in the right path. We must read and reflect on the Scriptures, allowing them to shape our hearts and minds.

By embracing God’s word, we let it guide our lives. It helps us discern right from wrong and keeps us on the path of righteousness. Let us commit to regular reading of the Bible, so we can grow in our understanding and love for God’s word.

Detachment from Riches

In the Gospel reading for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, Jesus encounters a rich young man who asks how to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells him to sell all he has, give to the poor, and follow Him. This is a difficult command, but it highlights the challenge of detachment from worldly riches.

The young man is saddened because he has many possessions. Jesus’ words show us that clinging to wealth can hinder our relationship with God. True discipleship requires letting go of material attachments and trusting fully in Jesus.

Jesus assures His disciples that while it is hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God, nothing is impossible with God. This gives us hope. If we trust in God and seek His help, we can overcome the obstacles that keep us from following Jesus fully.

The readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B call us to seek wisdom, embrace God’s word, and detach from worldly possessions. These teachings guide us on the path of discipleship and lead us to a deeper relationship with God. May we open our hearts to these messages and grow in our faith and commitment to Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, grant us wisdom to seek Your will above all else. Help us to embrace Your word and detach from worldly possessions. Guide us in our journey of faith, so we may follow You faithfully and reach eternal life. Amen.

• What does Solomon’s prayer for wisdom teach you about your own priorities?
• How can you seek and value God’s wisdom in your daily life?
• In what ways does God’s word speak to you personally?
• How can you make time for regular Bible reading and reflection?
• What obstacles do you face in letting go of material possessions?
• How can you trust more fully in Jesus rather than in worldly wealth?
• What steps can you take to detach from things that hinder your relationship with God?
• How do you respond to Jesus’ call to follow Him without reservation?
• In what areas of your life do you need God’s help to overcome challenges?
• How can you grow in your commitment to Jesus and His teachings?

The music selections for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B focus on themes of following Jesus, seeking God’s wisdom, and understanding His Word. These songs invite us to commit to discipleship, embrace God’s teachings, and find comfort in His guidance. They reflect the readings’ call to prioritize spiritual growth over material wealth and to trust in God’s plan for our lives. The music also highlights the importance of God’s wisdom and the joy of living according to His Word.

• Be Thou My Vision
• Come Follow Me
• Come Thou Fount
• Drawn by His Word
• Eye Has Not Seen
• Fill Us With Your Love
• Follow Me
• Here’s My Heart
• Holy Wisdom, Lamp of Learning
• I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
• I Will Follow
• In Every Age
• Let Me Follow
• Many and Great
• O Word of Christ
• Praise to You, O Christ, Our Savior
• Psalm 90: Fill Us With Your Love
• There Is a Longing
• Word of God, Speak
• Your Grace Is Enough
• Your Words Are Spirit and Life
• Your Words, Lord, Are Spirit and Life

Music directors and musicians are encouraged to explore these selections and incorporate them into worship services. These pieces can help deepen the congregation’s connection to the themes of the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. We also invite you to share your own song suggestions and experiences in the comments to inspire and support one another in creating meaningful worship experiences.

What date is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B?

The next date is Sunday October 13, 2024.
For other years see the links below:
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

What are the Mass readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B?

The Catholic Mass readings for Sunday October 13, 2024 are:
First Reading – Wisdom 7:7-11: Wisdom’s Gift
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 90: Filled with God’s Love
Second Reading – Hebrews 4:12-13: God’s Living Word
Gospel – Mark 10:17-30 or Mark 10:17-27: The Rich Young Man

What does Solomon mean by wisdom in the first reading for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B?

In the first reading, Solomon asks for wisdom instead of wealth or power. He values wisdom because it helps him understand God’s will and make good decisions. Wisdom is seeing things as God sees them and acting accordingly.

How can we apply Solomon’s prayer for wisdom to our lives?

We can pray for wisdom like Solomon did, asking God to help us understand His will. By seeking wisdom, we can make better decisions and live according to God’s plan for us. Wisdom helps us prioritize spiritual growth over material success.

Why is God’s word described as a “two-edged sword” in the second reading for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B?

God’s word is called a “two-edged sword” because it is powerful and can cut deep into our hearts. It reveals our true thoughts and intentions. This helps us see where we need to change and grow in our faith.

What does it mean for God’s word to be “living and effective”?

God’s word is “living and effective” because it is active and powerful. It speaks to us personally and guides our lives. By reading and reflecting on the Bible, we allow God’s word to shape our hearts and minds.

How does the second reading from Hebrews help us in our daily lives?

The second reading reminds us of the power of God’s word. It can guide our decisions and reveal our true thoughts. By regularly reading the Bible, we can grow in our faith and make choices that please God.

Why does Jesus tell the rich young man to sell all he has in the Gospel reading for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B?

Jesus tells the rich young man to sell all he has because his wealth is a barrier to following Jesus fully. Jesus wants him to let go of his attachment to possessions and trust in God alone. This teaches us the importance of prioritizing our relationship with Jesus over material wealth.

What does Jesus mean when He says it is hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God?

Jesus means that wealth can make it difficult to follow God completely. Riches can lead to pride, self-reliance, and a focus on material things. Jesus wants us to depend on God and not on our possessions.

How can we detach from worldly possessions like Jesus asks in the Gospel?

We can detach from worldly possessions by focusing on spiritual wealth. This means valuing our relationship with God more than material things. We can practice generosity, simplicity, and trust in God’s care for us.

Why is it important to follow Jesus without reservation as mentioned in the Gospel reading?

Following Jesus without reservation means fully committing to Him. It involves trusting God completely and not letting anything hold us back. This full commitment is necessary to truly live as disciples of Christ.

What is the main message of the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B?

The main message is to seek God’s wisdom, embrace His word, and detach from worldly riches. These actions help us follow Jesus more closely and live in a way that leads to eternal life.