19 Aug 2024
Possessions
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For 19 August 2024, Monday of week 20 in Ordinary Time, based on Matthew 19:16-22
Someone came to Jesus 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.
Scripture passage from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
20 August 2024 @ 8:47 am
Thank you Sr. Louis Mary.
20 August 2024 @ 9:01 am
Dear Louis Mary,
This gospel story of Jesus and the young man touched me deeply even as a young woman searching to do God’s Will. It saddened me when the young man loved his possessions more than following Jesus. My possession was trusting God enough to leave my father and our home when I felt God’s call to enter the Dominicans. Having received the grace to leave my dad and enter the Dominicans it also offered my dad the opportunity to marry again. I received a wonderful stepmother. God is so generous in His response when we trust in His invitations of grace.
Thank you for reminding me of this even in my old age that following Jesus is a call to give all of our selves in love and service including our possessions. God bless your continued preaching of the Word and your reflective prayer.
Gratefully,
Brigid Cannon, OP