Jesus answered, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the
commandments: Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness,
do not cheat, honor your father and mother.” The man replied, “I have obeyed all these
commandments since my childhood.”
Then Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him and he said, “For you, one thing is lacking.
Go, sell what you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven.
Then come and follow me.” On hearing these words, his face fell and he went away sorrowful,
for he was a man of great wealth.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to
enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were shocked at these words, but Jesus insisted,
“Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through
the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
They were more astonished than ever and wondered, “Who, then, can be saved?” Jesus
looked steadily at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God; all
things are possible with God.”
Reflect
Today’s Gospel offers a challenge and a comfort. It is challenging to realize that obeying
the commandments – something I often fail to do – is the minimum standard of discipleship.
Indeed, we are called to go beyond simple obedience. Jesus calls the rich man and us to
give away everything and follow him. We are called to place everything we have and
everything we are in God’s service, lovingly sacrificing ourselves for our brothers and
sisters. What an overwhelming task! But that is where the comfort comes in. Jesus
knows that he is asking for more than we can do. So he reminds us that we do not
have to do it on our own. All things are possible for God. God will give us the
grace we need. We often underestimate how much we can serve, how much we can love.
God’s grace can help us love beyond our limits, following him more closely.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023