1st Week after Holy Cross

Revelation 2:8-11 To Smyrna
A Reading from the Book of Revelation. Father, give your blessing.
Pause for the blessing, then read:
“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of
the first and the last, who was dead and came to life: “I know your affliction
and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander
on the part of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a
synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware,
the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be
tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death,
and I will give you the crown of life. Let anyone who has an ear listen
to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever conquers will not
be harmed by the second death.
Praise be to God always!

Mark 10:17-27 The Rich Man
Let us be attentive to the Gospel of Life and Salvation of our Lord Jesus
Christ as recorded by the evangelist Mark.
The Evangelist Mark writes:
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.”
This is the truth. Peace be with you.