If you wish to be perfect

Today's Gospel: Matthew 19:16 - 22

"And there was a man who came to him and asked, ‘Master, what good deed must I do to possess eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is one alone who is good. But if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said, ‘Which?’ ‘These:’ Jesus replied ‘You must not kill. You must not commit adultery. You must not bring false witness. Honour your father and mother, and: you must love your neighbour as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these. What more do I need to do?’ Jesus said, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ But when the young man heard these words he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth."

I can't help but wonder if Jesus were giving the rich man a sly metaphor of himself. The man is asking about eternal life but Jesus explains the way to perfection for him. Jesus was with the Father. He gave up his throne in heaven and came to earth and gave everything he had to poor humanity.

One choice to the man broke him. He desired wealth and security over the "unknown" of following Christ. I thank God that some people, like St. Francis for example, have taken this literaly.

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