No entitlement

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

1 Peter 1:3-9 Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9-10 Mark 10:17-27

Mark 10:26  And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?"

The cultural prejudices can be seen in the statement of the Apostles.  Who can be saved (if not a rich man)? There is a sense that if someone is rich they are more entitled to be saved.  We as humans seem to have a built in sense of entitlement.  This I think is perhaps the most dangerous problem that faces us today, the sense of entitlement.  We think that the world owes us something because of who we are.

The fact is that God owes us nothing. We are totally dependent on his mercy.  The best thing we can do is to understand that and act accordingly.  Because only with God are all things possible.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to never have the notion that I am entitled to anything.  Help me to always realize that it is your mercy that I depend on.

Amen