Scripture Mark 10:17-23

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.

You know the commandments: `Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth."

And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." At that saying his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"

Comment

The young man came running and flung himself emotionally at the feet of Jesus, whose personality had exercised a fascination over him. In his reply, Jesus was not giving him the cold shoulder, but asking him calmly to count the cost of following him.

'Don't let yourself be overcome by a merely emotional attachment to me. Turn your eyes towards God the Father.
You have kept the negative commandments ('Thou shalt not …') and have been good to your parents. This is admirable. God loves you for it …

'But what have you positively done from your wealthy position to give generous service to those in dire need? How difficult it is for those, who really put their trust and their secret priority in their money and in the influential position it brings them, to enter the kingdom of God'.

Jesus, help us all.

Source: Daily Prayer Online