The readings are from Amos 5:6-7, 10-15; Hebrews 3:12-19; and Mark 10:17-22.
Amos reports that powerful people abuse the poor but God’s justice will prevail. God warns and inspires people toward goodness and away from evil.
In Hebrews Paul warns against letting our old, evil, unbelieving heart remain in us, and urges us to urge each other to cast away that corrupt heart, remembering the example of the rebellious Israelites who went out of Egypt but never entered God’s promised land or God’s rest.
In Mark, a rich young ruler promotes his ego by insisting that he can prove his righteousness by his own efforts, yet when he is confronted with the challenge of actually loving others, he leaves Jesus rather than his material wealth. Notice that Jesus loves the man, and love means that Jesus confronts him with the truth which alone can defeat a corrupt heart and make way for his redemption.
Today’s lessons focus on warning and promise. Warnings are a force to release us from deceit and promises encourage us by reminding us that no one escapes real justice and Jesus has fulfilled what justice requires for us and is now working what is good through us.