Contemplating today's Gospel
Today's Gospel + homily (in 300 words)
Even when the Lord raised up judges to deliver them from the power of their despoilers, they did not listen to their judges, but abandoned themselves to the worship of other gods. They were quick to stray from the way their fathers had taken, and did not follow their example of obedience to the commandments of the Lord. Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, he would be with the judge and save them from the power of their enemies as long as the judge lived; it was thus the Lord took pity on their distressful cries of affliction under their oppressors. But when the judge died, they would relapse and do worse than their ancestors, following other gods in service and worship, relinquishing none of their evil practices or stubborn conduct.
They served their idols, which became a snare for them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons.
They became defiled by their works, and wanton in their crimes. And the Lord grew angry with his people, and abhorred his inheritance.
Many times did he rescue them, but they embittered him with their counsels. Yet he had regard for their affliction when he heard their cry.
“Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?”
Fr. Óscar MAIXÉ i Altés (Roma, Italy)Today the Liturgy of the Word places before us the famous passage of the rich young man— that young man who could not respond to the loving gaze with which Christ looked at him (cf. Mk 10:21). Saint John Paul II reminds us that in that young man we can recognize every person who approaches Christ and asks about the meaning of their own life: “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” (Mt 19:16). He said that “The young man senses that there is a connection between moral good and the fulfilment of his own destiny”
Even today, how many people ask themselves this same question! And yet, when we look around, we might think there are only a few who can see beyond the present moment, or perhaps believe that modern man no longer needs to ask such questions—since, in their minds, the answers have nothing to offer them.
Jesus replies: “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” (Mt 19:17). Asking about what lies beyond this life—about the meaning of life itself—is not only legitimate; it is necessary! The young man asked what he had to do to inherit eternal life, and Christ’s answer was simple: he must be good.
Today, for some—or for many—it may seem impossible to “be good.” Or it might seem meaningless—something foolish! But today, just as twenty centuries ago, Christ reminds us that in order to enter eternal life it is necessary to keep God’s commandments. This is not some lofty “ideal” for a select few; it is the necessary path for us to be conformed to God, so that they may enter eternal life in the hands of our Father-God. Indeed, “Jesus shows that the commandments must not be understood as a minimum limit not to be gone beyond, but rather as a path involving a moral and spiritual journey towards perfection, at the heart of which is love” (Saint John Paul II).
Thoughts on Today's Gospel
“If you are not master of yourself — though you may be powerful — your air of mastery moves me to pity and laughter.” (Saint Josemaría)
“Jesus shows that the commandments must not be understood as a minimum limit not to be gone beyond, but rather as a path involving a moral and spiritual journey towards perfection, at the heart of which is love.” (Saint John Paul II)
“‘Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?’ To the young man who asked this question, Jesus answers first by invoking the necessity to recognize God (..) as the supreme Good (...). Then Jesus tells him: ‘If you would enter life, keep the commandments’ (...). Finally Jesus sums up these commandments positively: ‘You shall love your neighbor as Yourself’” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2052)
