Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

Then someone came to him and said, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honour your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these; what do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

I recall one of my school principal’s mantras at school assembly: “It’s not all about you”. The students: the young men and women rich in gifts and talents, experienced this as a challenge to be focused on others’ needs rather than only on their own.

It seems that the rich young man didn’t immediately commit to the offer of transformation, made in his dialogue with Jesus, unlike for example the characters in the conversion stories in the Gospels e,g Zacchaeus or the Woman at the Well.

Perhaps today’s story is as much about daily attitudes and awareness, as much as the once-for-all challenging choice, about detachment and gratitude, and about interiorising the Catholic Social Doctrines unfolded anew by Pope Leo.

For the rich young man who has kept all the commandments, he may yet have the moment of grace spoken of in Vatican II’s Church in the Modern World: “His conscience is man’s most secret core, and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths. By conscience, in a wonderful way, that law is made known which is fulfilled in the love of God and of one’s neighbour.” (#16).

As Pope Francis wrote: “Jesus asks us not to decide who is close enough to be our neighbour, but rather that we ourselves become neighbours to all.” (Fratelli Tutti #80).

Can I be the rich young man in my prayer today, asking the Risen Christ to help me discern what is truly important in loving the “One who is good”, myself and my neighbour?