TO WHOM ARE YOU PRESENT?

 

TO WHOM ARE YOU PRESENT? 

The rich young man in today’s Gospel wanted to know what good he must do to attain eternal life. He had been faithfully observing the commandments. But when Jesus told him to sell everything, give the money to the poor, and follow Him, it was too much a condition for the man because he had too many possessions. He went away preferring his possessions than following Jesus and attaining eternal life.

Jesus once taught, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but suffers the loss of his own soul?” The material world is limited. It has a definite lifetime. Why would we want to be attached to it?

The man was more present to his possessions. He had grown to love and treasure them. Presence strengthens relationships. His brief meeting with the Lord was not enough for the man to part with the possessions that he must have worked hard for. Maybe for him, the pleasure, prestige, and power that his possessions provided were more real and satisfying than eternal life. The Gospel account said that he went away in response to Jesus’ challenge. Had he stayed and tried to know Jesus more, he might have changed his mind.

Human experience teaches us that presence brings us closer to the person we spend more time with. We discover many things about ourselves and the other person. It applies too with God. When we start going to Mass more frequently, spend more time in prayer, visit the Blessed Sacrament, regularly read Scriptures, consistently follow His commandments, and always be aware of His presence, we will know Him more and eventually love Him more. And in loving Him, we will strive to serve Him. It follows that the more experience we have with Him, the more we will know, love, and serve Him. Soon, our possessions will come second to Him and we will come to a point when all we want is to be with Him—in the eternal life. Eternal life is where we want to always be in God’s presence. Fr. Benny Tuazon

---------- REFLECTION QUESTION ----------

Putting yourself in the shoes of the rich young man, what would you have chosen—your possessions or following Jesus?

Keep me always focused on the eternal life, Lord. Amen.
Today, I pray for: ___________________________