Someone ran up to Jesus with great excitement and enthusiasm and knelt before him. He asked Jesus what he must do. It becomes a dramatic encounter. “Jesus, looking at him, loved him” and told him what he must do. Jesus affirmed the person’s sincerity and integrity. Jesus asked him to let go of some things so that he could more fully embrace someone. Jesus invited him into his company. But in the next scene the person’s “face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.” He became gloomy and dark.
This gospel text calls each of us to do a self-examination. What is more valuable and important to me? Possessions or relationships? The things I own or my relationship with Christ? Focusing only on myself and what I want or allowing myself to be a channel of God’s mercy and love and peace?
Prayerfully imagine yourself as this person running up to Jesus. For what would you ask? What would Jesus say? How would you respond?
Fr. Tom Krenik