In today’s Gospel, a young
man approaches Jesus and asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus
replies that one must follow the commandments. The man acknowledges that he has
observed all of these since his childhood. Jesus then says that only one thing
is lacking: he must give his possessions to the poor and follow Jesus. The man
leaves in sadness, and Mark tells us that this is because he had many
possessions. This is a unique passage as the young man went away sad. Encounters with Jesus usually end with the
person being happy and grateful. In this story it is not the case.
Jesus makes two
requirements of the wealthy man who approaches him. First, he must give up his
possessions. The second requirement Jesus makes of this man is the invitation
that Jesus extends to all would-be disciples: “follow me.”
Jesus very much wants this man to be his disciple.
What does this Gospel mean
for us as we move forward. Perhaps it is a call to give yourself first to God.
Ground yourself in God and everything else will be blessed by God and fall into
place. Let us live this day in joy rather than despair. May we hear and believe
the responsorial psalm “Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for
joy!” May we be filled with the love and mercy of God every day!
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