Anything Keeping You From Him?

19 Aug

Jesus said to [the young man], “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.  (Mt 19:21-22)

This Gospel passage is a truly sad one.

If you remember, a young man — and a very sincere one at that — approached Jesus.

He wanted to know what to do to gain eternal life.

Jesus reminded him about all the commandments.

The young man stated that he had followed all of them and wanted to know if there was anything else that he needed to do as well.

That is when Jesus told him to sell what he had, give it to the poor, and return to follow Jesus.

The young man went away sad because he had many possessions.

Or, perhaps, it might be better stated that his possessions had a hold of him.

We all gather things: possessions, titles, positions, people.  Some people’s identity come from these possessions.  Take them away and they are nothing.

It cannot be like that with us.

We need to make sure that the only thing that possesses us is the love of God.  Nothing else, no one else, should be more important in our lives than God.

FAITH ACTION:  Is there any possession in your life that has more of hold over you than is healthy?  Ask God for the grace to set your priorities aright this day.