saving face
"You know the commandments." —Mark 10:19
The man in today's Gospel reading told Jesus that he had kept the commandments since his childhood (Mk 10:20). So Jesus gave him five more commandments: go, sell, give, come, and follow (Mk 10:21).
The man refused to obey these commandments. Immediately, his face expressed his rebellion. The verse describing his reaction can be translated: his "face fell" (Mk 10:22). Some of the connotations of the Greek word are: the man glowered; his face became overcast, expressing even tinges of hatred.
To obey the Lord is delightful (Ps 40:9). To disobey the Lord is hateful, depressing, and sad (see Mk 10:22). To obey God's will is our food, nourishment, and fulfillment (Jn 4:34). To disobey God's will is emptiness and desolation. To obey the Lord is to enter into the Lord's love and intimacy (see Jn 15:10; Mk 3:35). To disobey the Lord is to become alienated and isolated into an everlasting hell of narcissistic selfishness.
Let us follow Jesus by obeying Him even to death on the cross (Phil 2:8). Then we will be exalted with Him forever.
Prayer: Father, may I learn obedience from what I suffer (Heb 5:8).
Promise: "With God all things are possible." —Mk 10:27
Praise: Joe repented of neglecting Sunday Mass and now joyfully attends Mass several days a week.
Reference: (Grow in obeying the Lord by reading the Bible every day. We have several series to help you. Overview of the Bible is six CDs starting with CD 10 A-1 or audio tape AV 10A-1 or DVD 10A. 15 Minute Bible Teaching - New Testament is forty CDs with detailed teaching as to chapter and verse starting with CD 700, or audio tape 700. An Introduction to Each Book of the Bible is thirty-two CDs starting with CD 21-1 or audio tape AV 21-1 or DVD 21.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 2016
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