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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Go, sell what you have

Go, sell what you have

Published Aug 20, 2023 04:01 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

Possessions are not bad in themselves. A person needs them to survive. But when one makes them the center of everything, a threat arises to hinder us from achieving a meaningful sense of happiness. The young man certainly looks for something more than having wealth and following the commandments. In theory, he knows that eternal life is something to aim for. But what he hears from Jesus is something unexpected, something he is not ready to commit to: “Go, sell what you have and give to the poor... Then come, follow me” (v 21). 


Voluntary poverty is radical. It is a special vocation. Francis and Claire of Assisi are examples of those who happily responded to this call. They disassociated themselves from wealth and focused on doing God’s will alone. Others may not be called to such radical poverty. They may be called to other ways of following Jesus. But the Gospel certainly invites each one to reflect on his/her relationship with possessions and their impact on his/her values, relationships, and trust in God. Following Jesus means changing one’s lifestyle and priorities. These changes may be very stretching and require sacrifice. Are we truly willing to make difficult decisions to follow Jesus?

 

Gospel • Mt 19:16-22 
A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
 

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