In today’s second reading St Paul tells us:
“The word of God is something alive and active: it cuts more keenly than any double edged sword…”
The truth of his words is borne out by the gospel
In conversation with a young man who asks how to inherit eternal life Jesus begins by taking him back to the basics of faith, telling him to keep the commandments. That’s not enough for the young man, he wants more. When he presses Jesus to say more he gets it. Jesus responds:
“There is one thing you lack. Go and sell everything you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
His words are so challenging that the young man, who was very wealthy, walked away sad, unable to take that extra step. Jesus’ words also challenge us. As St Paul says they cut through the excesses and riches of our society to the heart of what is means to follow Jesus. Having more than we need, especially when others lack the necessities of life is not the way of the gospel. It’s not Good News for us or for anyone else.
Jesus’ words are as challenging for us as they are for the young man. Like him there’s much that we have to let go of, both materially and spiritually if we want to give ourselves completely to following Christ. It’s a call to put ourselves aside with all the sacrifice and denial that implies in order to be free to give ourselves completely to following Christ.
What do you need to let go of to be free to follow Christ wholeheartedly?