MORE THAN THE RICHES In today’s Gospel, a rich young man, totally obedient to the commandments, approached Jesus. The young man had every reason to ask Jesus how to attain eternal life. But Jesus would not just let him get his way without subjecting him to the utmost test. Jesus challenged his resolve to attain eternal life. Is he willing to give up everything he possessed? Is he willing to carry the cross of a disciple? Is he willing to follow Jesus all the way? Is eternal life his main reason or is it just one of his needs? We know the story. He failed Jesus’ test. He could not accept Jesus’ offer. His riches were just too precious and too much for him to give up. Even eternal life was not enough for him to let go of them. He went away sad. But Jesus, too, was sad. The rich young man had missed a great opportunity. He was almost there but wavered and doubted because of the lure of material possessions. He settled for something much less! What a blunder! Here we can admire another rich man named Zacchaeus. He immediately grabbed the opportunity of being in Jesus’ presence. In response to and appreciation of Jesus’ presence, he readily offered to sell everything he had and give half to the poor, and if he had defrauded anyone in the least, he was willing to repay them fourfold! For Zacchaeus, reparation was in order and his riches were not enough reason to be continuously separated from the love of God. This brings us to ourselves. We can forget the rich young man and Zacchaeus. The question is before us. It stares us in the face. How much are we willing to give for eternal life? What are we wiling to do to attain it? As Paul asked, “Who will separate us from the love of God?” The answer should be nothing. Nothing should separate us from God. “Take and receive, O Lord, my liberty. Take all my will, my mind, my memory. All things I hold and all I own are Thine. Thine was the gift, to Thee I all resign!” God is and should be enough for us. Fr. Benny Tuazon
Posted on: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 23:45:18 +0000
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