20th Week, Ordinary Time August 19, 2024
Reflection on the WORD
Attachments – Faith: In today’s Gospel, Jesus invited the man, “If you wish to be perfect; go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then, come follow Me.” Ponder on: The man left Jesus; very sad. His attachments to his material wealth were greater than the ‘treasures in heaven.’ What about our attachments?
Matthew 19:16-22
A man came to Jesus and asked, ‘Master, what good deed must I do to possess eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is one alone who is good. But if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’
He said, ‘Which ones?’ Jesus replied, ‘These: You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false witness. Honour your father and your mother. You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these. What more do I need to do?’ Jesus said, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go and sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ But when the young man heard these words he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- The rich young man was probably used to owning expensive things. So, Jesus’ wanted to challenge him to either choose to “follow Him (Jesus)” or to keep his riches.
- Jesus began by exhorting him to be morally upright (i.e. to observe the commandments); then, to dispossess his material wealth so he could make room in his heart for Jesus.
- In modern-day consumer society, what may Jesus be asking us to forego or give up so that our love for Him may be purer and more personal?