Liturgy, Scripture, Spirituality, Writing

Imagining the Gospel: A Reflection on Mark 10

Christine Eberle

This is the longest lead-time I’ve ever had on an assignment.

At the August 2023 Ignatian Creators Summit, participants volunteered to write imaginative encounters with Gospel texts for the coming liturgical year; the 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time (October 13) fell to me. I began thinking about it immediately, and even posted a mid-point “work in progress” blog (including a homemade sonnet) when Mark 10:17-30 popped up as a daily Mass reading in May.

Here at last is the “final” product. (Scare quotes only because no wrestling with this challenging reading is ever the last word.)

Enjoy!

Imagining the Gospel: The Rich Man’s Question

4 thoughts on “Imagining the Gospel: A Reflection on Mark 10”

  1. Great reflection on the rich young man’s question! It inspired me to start using imaginative prayer again in my daily scripture readings. Thanks, Christine. Oceans of blessings, Mary Jane

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  3. If I can offer my two cents worth here. I wonder why we call him a rich YOUNG man? That adjective was not used in the Gospel. I think the man was older. If not, would not a young man saying to Jesus “I have kept all these things from my youth” sound a bit pretentious? I think that if the man was older, then he might have had to work very hard to become so rich—long hours, much toil and sweat, identity poured into his actions. For a man of this age and experience and possessions to be so self-aware as to know that everything so far was now in question and motives for life identity judged as incomplete—that was vastly different from a young, probably rich-from-birth, spoiled son of a family to come to Jesus and say the same thing. If the man was older, he had much more to give up than just material things, things that the younger nan would probably have no clue about. Small wonder that he left depressed and sad. Giving that all up was no small thing and would be something that would probably take time doing (probably taking care of those dependent on his wealth for their own existence. I want to think that he did respond to Jesus’ invitation after he took care of things. I wish we had an end to that story. I can see the man sitting around the fire at night telling others of his encounter with Jesus. Never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. It depends on the rewards held out before him.

    But I really enjoyed your take on the Gospel. MORE please.
    John

    Sent from Outlookhttp://aka.ms/weboutlook

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  4. ”Humility? Common courtesy?” I laughed out loud. In the airport! I love this reflection, and I hear your voice so clearly, Christine. I especially love the hope-filled ending. I relish imagining the rich fellow gradually giving things away and getting on the road to follow the Lord. Thanks!

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