October 14, 2012 
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saint of the day
Saint Callistus I (d.223)
As a young slave, Pope Saint Callistus I was given the task of maintaining the collected funds which were given as alms by Christians. Callistus lost the funds he was supposed to be minding, and ran away from Rome. He was condemned to work in the mines of Sardinia. After he was freed from the mines, Callistus became a deacon, and Pope Zephyrinus entrusted the burial chambers along the Appian Way near Rome into his care. When Callixtus followed Zephyrinus as bishop of Rome, he started allowing converts from sects or schisms into the church even though they had not done penance. This angered his biggest rival and a priest of Rome, Hippolytus. Callistus was martyred around 222, possibly during a popular uprising.
Reflection
We all make mistakes. What matters is what we learn from them. Even though Saint Callistus ran away when he lost the funds that he was in charge of instead of telling someone right away, he learned to be more responsible in the long run. He was even given another important task--being in charge of the burial chambers along the Appian Way. With his new-found responsibility, he succeeded at his task and was given more responsibility as bishop of Rome. Having learned that everyone makes mistakes, he was lenient on the requirements that new converts had to fulfill before being admitted into the church. Do you run away from the things that you have done wrong, or do you repent and learn from your mistakes?
Prayer
Dear Jesus, when life seems desperate, give me a new heart to begin again. Help me always to be aware of your love and support in my life. (Taken from "Take Ten: Daily Bible Reflections for Teens.")
Liturgical season information
Lectionary: 143
Place in Year: Ordinary Time
Color of decorations and priest's vestments: Green
Daily readings
Reading 1: Wisdom 7:7-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17
Reading 2: Hebrews 4:12-13
Gospel: Mark 10:17-30
Alternate Gospel: Mark 10:17-27
View complete readings on USCCB.orgMeditations
Meditation for Gospel
Who can be saved? For Jesus, the answer is everyone--rich people and poor people alike--as long as God is at the center of their lives. The challenge for wealthy people is to overcome attachment to worldly possessions. Just as the rich man was told by Jesus to put his trust in God, so too are we. Trust in God is the way to everlasting life. Christians are called to a radical discipleship because possessions and money pull individuals away from depending on God as the true source of their lives. (Taken from "Youth Engaging Scripture: Diving into the Sunday Gospels")
