Total Giving

 Matthew 19: 16-22

Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler

¹⁶ Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

¹⁷ So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good?  No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

¹⁸ He said to Him, “Which ones?”

Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ¹⁹ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

²⁰ The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

²¹ Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

²² But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

We might not be as wealthy as the rich young man, but each one of us has something that stands between us and the total commitment or gift of self that Jesus asks for..  What is it in my life that keeps me from selling what I have, giving the proceeds to the poor, and following Jesus with a free and full heart? St. Francis of Assisi did it, and countless others followed his example.  It can be done.  And if it's not money or possessions that are interfering, what is THE OBSTACLE that prevents me from making  a complete offering of self to Jesus?  Surely, in our materialistic world, and the world in which I have so much say and control, the notion of giving all that up,  is repelling and has caused many to turn away sad as did the man in this story. How can I change my possession-clinging self to a freely giving response to this invitation?  Guide me,O Lord,  along the path of generous giving to you of all that I am and possess.

Bro. Rene.