Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • October 11, 2024 5 Compassionate Service 228-374-5650 Bradfordokeefe.com Thank you, Jesus, Mary, St. Joseph, St. Jude, & St. Anthony, for prayers answered. C.S. Opening Remarks -- Power of prayer: Chapters 1-9 of the First Book of Chronicles have a sleep-producing list of genealogical tables, from Adam (the first man) to Saul (Israel’s first king). Hidden within the maze of names is the prayer of a man named Jabez -- made famous by author Bruce Wilkerson -- The Prayer of Jabez - Breaking Through to the Blessed Life sold nine million copies, topping the New York Times Best Selling List in 2001. 1 Chronicles 4:10 records Jabez’s prayer and its results: “Jabez prayed to the God of Israel, ‘Oh; that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ ‘And God granted His prayer.’” Critics of Wilkerson’s book have called it a prayer for prosperity, suggesting its aim is for God to do what we want instead of us following God’s will. In today’s first reading, Solomon recalls his prayer when taking the king’s throne, succeeding his father, King David. Solomon’s prayer did not petition for wealth, good health, or a worry-free life but for an understanding heart to judge the people God placed in his care (1 Kings 3:4-9). Pleased with Solomon’s request, the Lord not only gave him prudence and wisdom (Wisdom 7:7-11) but made him the richest person on earth (1 Kings 3:10- 15). Wilkerson’s critics have acclaimed Solomon’s prayer as a model of attitude and humility for all who pray. Now, it is for us to judge. Which of these two Biblical characters prayed the “better” prayer? Let’s search a little deeper. The Scriptures reveal nothing about Jabez’s life! After receiving God’s favor, did Jabez go on to glorify God with his prosperity and good health? We hope so but do not know. On the other hand, much is known about Solomon. His early service of the Lord was exemplary, using his wealth, wisdom, and power to glorify God in his personal life and among the people he ruled. But later, lust, wealth, power, and idol worship turned his heart from God. He took hundreds of wives, most of them pagan, which he married to gain political power and for whom he built temples of worship to pagan gods. My takeaway: Since God answered both prayers, we could presume that they were prayed with sincerity, faith, trust, and a desire to do God’s will at the time. What inner motivation guides your prayer, and how does that impact your external actions? Lead me, Lord! The author of Hebrews explains the penetrating power of God’s word for those who listen to and act on it. God’s word is so powerful that it reveals the inner thoughts of our hearts and thereby becomes our standard for living the abundant life God has promised (John 10:10). Since the Lord knows everything about us, we can confidently embrace Him in an intimate, liberating relationship. This involves an inner attitude built on the foundation of a dedicated, consistent, and unwavering prayer life that craves nearness to God and leads to a docility of will to conform to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Choose Life: In Jesus’ day, people still held to their ancestors’ belief that material wealth and good health were signs of God’s favor, and the opposite was a sign of God’s disapproval. The man who approached Jesus in today’s Gospel had much going for him. He was not only rich but held faithfully to the commandments from his youth. Any observer, including Jesus’ disciples, who saw the man approach Jesus and heard his question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” would have expected Jesus to give him a high-five with the assurance he was a shoo-in to the kingdom of heaven. Can you imagine their shock when Jesus replied, “Go, sell what you have, and give it to the poor…then come, follow me” (Mark 10:17-22). Jesus’ reply established a new standard. Material wealth and good health are blessings meant to glorify God, not curry personal favor. Keeping the commandments is not exceptional behavior but the minimum benchmark for those professing belief in God. The rich man walked away saddened because he would not replace the trappings of wealth with attachment to Jesus. If not all, which of the Ten Commandments have you chosen to keep? What will it take to keep all 10? From what activities, habits, or beliefs contrary to Church teaching should you detach? Jesus said, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that we might be saved through him” (John 3:17). Jesus really wants us to be with Him forever. What is Jesus’ answer to salvation? “Go (detach yourself from what is keeping you from me): then ‘Come’(followme).’ The Church provides everything we need to answer the call -- prayer should undergird each of these practices. We can “Go” on a spiritual retreat, “Go” to confession, “Go” to a priest or deacon for spiritual advice, “Go” to Eucharistic Adoration, “Go” to Mass at least weekly and daily, if possible, “Go” to a Catholic Bible study. These and more will strengthen your resolve to “Come” to Jesus with unwavering attachment. 1. In what ways has your prayer changed in the last ten years? 2. Why do our attachments make it difficult to gain eternal life? 3. What lifestyle adjustments should you make to conform to the thoughts, words, and actions of Jesus? Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his website: www.homilypearls.com. 1st Reading: Wisdom 7:7-11 Psalm: 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17 2nd Reading: Hebrews 4:12-13 Gospel: Mark 10:17-30 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time Prosperity Prayer Deacon Torrell i Sunday Scripture Commentaries