Readings: Judges 2:11-19, Psalm 106 and Matthew 19:16-22
“All these I have observed; what do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” (Matthew 19:20-21)
Like the Israelites we read about in our First Reading, we become idol worshippers when we seek security in our possessions. To the young rich man who wanted to know how to possess eternal life, Jesus said: “If you want to be perfect, go and sell what you possess and give to the poor.”
According to St. John Chrysostom, when this young man first met Jesus, he asked about what he had to do to have eternal life, and Jesus led him to the truth in various degrees. First, Jesus taught him to let go of false flattery by saying, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.”
Secondly, Jesus proceeds to remind him of his basic Catechism: “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” St. Augustine, commenting on this statement, says Jesus said, “If you want to enter into life”, meaning that at the moment, what we have is not life but a miserable and finite existence on earth. The only life is that which we shall begin to live in heaven.
Thirdly, having proved that he had observed the commandments since his childhood, Jesus led him to a higher degree of perfection; to sell all that he had and give the money to the poor. We must take note of the sequence of steps Jesus outlined in this conversation with the young man.
Given that he was unwilling to give away his possessions, the young man walked away from Jesus, sad. We brought nothing into this world; when we die, we cannot take anything with us. Help the poor. Learn to give things away. There is a joy that comes to us when we give things away. The way to be happy is to make others happy.
Jesus told us: “I tell you, make friends for yourselves using unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal habitations.” (Luke 16:9). It is not enough that we keep God’s commandments. We must secure our place in heaven by helping others.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, save us from the worship of earthly possessions. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Monday of week 20 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Judges 2:11-19, Psalm 106 and Matthew 19:16-22)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu