In today’s gospel, we heard the dialogue between Jesus and a rich young man, which ended in disaster for the young man. The young man left the presence of Jesus “unhappy” because Jesus requested that he sells all he has and give the proceed to the poor.
At the beginning of the dialogue the rich young man had asked Jesus, “Teacher, what good must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16–29)
Can one really inherit heaven? What can one do to ‘inherit’ heaven? This question is flawed. What can anyone do to inherit anything? Inheritance, by its very nature, is a gift from one family member (or friend) to another. If one is born into a family, or perhaps adopted into it, then he or she can inherit. Inheritance is not payment for services rendered.
Jesus’s response “If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments” seems to be an attempt to correct the young man’s question.
There is nothing you and I can do to enter heaven. No one silver bullet!
However, one can ‘wish’ or ‘desire’ to enter heaven, as Jesus rightly said. This should be the prayer of everyone.
Since the young man had told Jesus that he has been keeping the commandments as the discussion continued, Jesus informed him to sell all that he had and give the proceeds to the poor, then he can come and follow him.
The young man wasn’t happy about Jesus’s instructions ‘to sell all his possessions.’ Jesus’ response to the young man is threefold: “keep the commandments . . . sell your possessions and give the money to the poor . . . follow me” (19:17, 21).
Does Jesus asked us to give away what we have to follow him? Then why all houses, cars, sports memorabilia, and entertainment systems?
Jesus did not make giving away possessions a duty for all his followers. The command to the young rich man is not a command to all. No single task guarantees salvation. Jesus gives us the road map to heaven. Jesus calls us to whole-life-discipleship. The young man’s reaction demonstrates how easily “stuff” can get between us and God. Let’s be watchful!
Have a wonderful week.
