Sunday Homily

In this Sunday's Liturgy of the Word we have two examples of Biblical Apocalyptic, one from the Hebrew Scriptures and one from the Christian Scriptures. Biblical apocalyptic literature spans a long history of composition, and was produced by many different authors, but all of it has an identical structure and purpose. All Biblical apocalyptic literature sees the consummation of human history as also being the consummation of God's saving plan.

The Scribes in today's Gospel reading were a professional caste who did exactly what their title indicates; they made copies of the Scriptures. The Scribes copied, by hand, the Scriptural texts in order to provide for the needs of the Temple and synagogues. Jesus seems to have come across a group of them who had lost their way, spiritually.

In this Sunday's Gospel a rich man runs up to Jesus, kneels down in front of him, addresses him flatteringly and asks how to live a holy life. He did all of this knowing exactly what the Law of Moses prescribed for holiness. The rich man appears to be an accomplished sycophant. He seems to want to be the "teacher's pet" among Jesus' disciples. Nonetheless, the Gospel tell us that Jesus looked at him, and loved him. (Mark 10:21)