Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Sirach 17:20-24: God welcomes back the repentant with great mercy, urging them to live righteously and praise Him while they can, for only the living can celebrate His kindness.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 32: The forgiven rejoice, for God shields them from guilt and envelops them in safety, allowing them to celebrate deliverance.
• Gospel – Mark 10:17-27: Jesus teaches that material wealth can hinder spiritual richness and entry into God’s kingdom, but with God, all things, including salvation, are possible.

How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!

Mark 20:23

The Mass readings for Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 highlight important aspects of our faith journey.

• God’s Mercy and Repentance: God is ready to forgive those who turn away from their sins. This is shown in the First Reading where He is described as welcoming and merciful to the repentant.
• Challenge of Wealth: Wealth can make it hard to enter God’s kingdom. In the Gospel, Jesus tells a rich man that his riches are a barrier to following Him fully.
• Salvation is Possible: With God, anyone can be saved. The Gospel stresses that what seems impossible for humans is possible with God.
• Praise and Righteousness: We should praise God and live rightly. Sirach encourages us to use our lives to praise God because only the living can celebrate His kindness.

In our daily life, these themes for Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us to focus on what truly matters. Let’s seek God’s mercy, live righteously, and remember that with Him, we can overcome any barrier.

The readings for Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invite us to reflect on what we value most and how we live in response to God’s love. They challenge us to let go of attachments like wealth, to live in a way that praises God, and to trust in His mercy when we turn back to Him. These lessons remind us that with God, all things are possible.

The Challenge of Wealth

In the Gospel for Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, a rich man struggles to give up his possessions to follow Jesus. Jesus uses this moment to show how wealth can create obstacles to living as true followers of God. When we become too attached to our material possessions, we risk letting them take priority over our faith and values.

Jesus explains that it is very hard for those who are rich to enter the Kingdom of God. This is not because wealth itself is evil, but because it often distracts us and keeps us focused on worldly things. The more we cling to what we own, the harder it is to fully surrender to God’s will.

However, the Gospel also brings hope. Jesus reminds us that “with God, all things are possible.” This means that, even though it may feel impossible to let go of our attachments, God’s grace can help us. By trusting in His power, we can overcome these challenges and grow closer to Him.

Living and Praising

The first reading from Sirach and the Gospel for Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 both highlight the importance of how we live. Sirach tells us that only the living can praise God. This is a reminder to use our time wisely to honor Him. Praising God is not just about words; it is about living in a way that reflects His goodness and mercy.

The readings encourage us to think about what we value most in life. Do we focus on temporary things like wealth or success, or do we live in a way that shows gratitude and trust in God? Praising God involves turning away from sin, seeking His forgiveness, and living righteously.

When we live in a way that pleases God, we also inspire others to do the same. Our lives become a testimony of God’s mercy and kindness. These readings remind us to make the most of our time on earth by honoring God in all we do.

Turning Back to God

A shared theme in both the first reading and the Gospel for Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 is repentance. Sirach speaks of God’s great mercy and His willingness to welcome back those who turn to Him. The Gospel shows how God makes salvation possible, even for those who struggle to let go of their attachments.

God is always ready to forgive and welcome us back, no matter how far we may have strayed. Repentance is not just about saying we are sorry; it involves changing our ways and putting God first. Sirach urges us to return to God and live righteously while we have the chance.

The Gospel complements this message by showing that salvation is God’s work, not ours. While it may seem impossible to overcome our sins and weaknesses, God’s grace makes it possible. By trusting Him and seeking His mercy, we can be restored and strengthened to live in His love.

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As we consider these readings, let us open our hearts to God’s grace. May we set aside anything that keeps us from Him, live with gratitude, and trust in His endless mercy.

Prayer

Lord, help us to let go of anything that takes our focus away from You. Teach us to live in a way that honors You and reflects Your kindness. Lead us back to You when we stray, and remind us of Your great mercy. May our lives always praise You. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• What attachments or distractions might be keeping you from fully following God?
• How can you use your life to praise God in both joyful and challenging times?
• Do you trust in God’s mercy when you struggle or turn away from Him?
• How can you show others the kindness and love that God has shown to you?

All Things Are Possible with God

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove teaches us to live the Gospel in contemporary ways, emphasizing the Franciscan charism that embodies the core of the Gospel. He discusses practices such as confession, resistance, and nonviolent love as essential yet challenging steps towards genuine communal living, not quick fixes. Despite societal divisions and personal reluctance, like the rich man’s hesitance in Mark 10, Jesus’ message remains simple: true discipleship might cost us materially but rewards us spiritually and communally, redefining success as living in a beloved community that reflects the early church. This involves making significant personal sacrifices in faith, assured by Jesus that “all things are possible with God.”

What date is Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Monday March 3, 2025.

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For even numbered years see Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Monday March 3, 2025 are:
First Reading  – Sirach 17:20-24: The Path to Reconciliation
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 32: Joy of Forgiveness
Gospel – Mark 10:17-27: Challenge of Wealth and the Kingdom of God

What does it mean that God welcomes back the repentant?

In the readings for Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, it means God is always ready to forgive us when we say sorry for our wrongs and try to do better.

What does Sirach mean by urging us to live righteously in the first reading for Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Sirach is telling us to live in a way that is good and fair, following God’s commandments and treating others kindly.

Why does Sirach say only the living can celebrate God’s kindness?

It emphasizes the importance of using our time now, while we are alive, to recognize and be grateful for God’s goodness and love.

How can I seek God’s mercy as shown in the readings for Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Admit your mistakes, ask God for forgiveness, and make choices that show you want to live a better life.

Why does Jesus talk about the difficulty of rich people entering God’s kingdom?

Jesus wants us to know that loving money too much can make it hard to focus on loving God and others. Wealth can distract us from what’s truly important.

How can all things be possible with God, as mentioned in the Gospel for Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

This teaches us that even when things seem too difficult, like changing our lives or giving up bad habits, God can help us succeed if we trust in Him.

How can I apply the message of not letting wealth be a barrier in my own life?

Think about whether you give too much importance to money or possessions. Try to focus more on caring for others and sharing what you have.

What practical steps can I take to focus more on God than on my possessions?

Start by spending time in prayer each day, reading the Bible, and finding ways to help others who are in need.