Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

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Gospel
Matthew 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.

Reflection

I love the way Jesus deals with the egocentricity of this man. He doesn't condemn it, but He gently reminds him of something that he's forgotten. He is not his possessions. Ownership means, you have something is yours. You made it or you bought it.

But possessions are those things you have that give you a sense of value. And so what He's trying to say to this young man, let go of trying to be somebody you're not. I love you as you are. Don't try to be more than that.

Closing Prayer

Father, it's so natural for us to want to be perfect in your eyes, but you don't want necessarily for that to happen as much as you want us to enter into a relationship with you where you are our prized possession. What we have is not who we are, and we are a people that long for your presence. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.