The Ministry of Listening (MPLS)

Amos 5:6–7, 10–15

Seek the Lord and live, or he will break out against the house of Joseph like fire, and it will devour Bethel, with no one to quench it. Ah, you that turn justice to wormwood, and bring righteousness to the ground! They hate the one who reproves in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks the truth. Therefore because you trample on the poor and take from them levies of grain, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not live in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine. For I know how many are your transgressions, and how great are your sins— you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and push aside the needy in the gate. Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time; for it is an evil time. Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, just as you have said. Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

Mark 10:17–31

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”

Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

‘Text Message’ Reflection:
From Pastor Heather Roth Johnson

In this story, we meet a man who is often referred to as the rich young ruler. His question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” is both profound and poignant. This man, despite his wealth and success, is deeply aware of a void within him. He recognizes that something is missing and seeks Jesus for an answer.

Jesus’ initial response is a reminder that true goodness belongs to God alone: “Why do you call me good? No one is good—except God alone” (Mark 10:18). By directing the man’s focus to God’s inherent goodness, Jesus highlights that eternal life cannot be achieved through human effort or merit but is a gift from a gracious God.

At first glance, Jesus’ reaction might seem like a mere correction of the man’s address. However, it carries a deep lesson about the nature of goodness. Jesus is pointing out that true goodness is not a mere human trait but an attribute that belongs solely to God. This statement challenges our understanding of goodness and invites us to consider its deeper, divine nature.

When we use the term “good,” it is based on human standards or often, subjectively. We might say someone is good because they are kind, honest, or generous. While these are certainly admirable qualities, Jesus shifts the focus from human definitions to the divine standard. He emphasizes that goodness, in its truest form, is rooted in who God is.

‘Text Message’ Reflection Questions:

• How do you define good? Do you see people as good?
• What areas in your life need a refresher of radical goodness?
• How does human imperfection ger in the way of being good?

Prayer:

God of all things good, you molded the world into your likeness and called the people very good. Continue to shape us and mold us, care for us and love us, so that we can live out your goodness in all aspects of our lives. Amen.