Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

 

Gospel Reading 10:17-27

 

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”  Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” 

 

What things do you treasure most of all?  Are there things in your life that you just must have?  Are there things that you desire more than anything else?  In today’s gospel reading, a rich man comes and asks Jesus what he needs to do to make it into heaven.  Jesus replies, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.”  The rich man tells Jesus that he has obeyed all of these commandments.  So Jesus tells him, " You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."  The rich man leaves sad and depressed because he had much wealth.  He was depressed because he was addicted to his money and material belongs and that these earthly treasures would keep him from entering the Kingdom of Heaven.  He worshiped and put greater desire into the money and things he had acquired.  This man desired the peace and comfort of heaven, but was not willing to part with the earthly things that prevented him from making the journey to heaven.  His money and wealth was his road block.  There are not very many that Jesus said, “Come, follow me.”  This is the same commandment that he gave to his Apostles.  We are all called to give up those things which separate us from heaven so we can follow him without conditions.

 

What are your road blocks to Heaven?  These road blocks could include attachments, material goods, friendships, entertainment, music, TV, sports, or anything that keeps us from looking into the eyes of our Maker.  If you asked Jesus today what you needed to do to get into heaven, what would he tell you?  What earthly treasure would you need to part with?  Our treasures are very dear to our heart or else we would not treasure them.  But when those treasures become an obsession and prevent us from doing the will of God, then these treasures become a sin themselves.  Once we realize that Christ in Heaven is the true treasure, we will experience the true joy life has to offer to us.  Remember, we lose what we keep and we gain what we give away.  The graces that God gives us are meant to be shared with others.  If God blesses you with money, it is so you can share it with others.  If God blesses you with the gift of music, it is so you can entertain us with His Glory and if God blesses you with strength, it is so you can build a kingdom for others.  Remember, sharing your treasures with others shows deep committed love not only to your fellow man, but also to God Himself. 

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, keeper of the treasures of Heaven, I desire to enter into your Kingdom.

Open my heart and my soul so that I may share my earthly treasures with others.

I have many treasures and talents which you have graced to me. 

Give me the strength to free myself of these treasures so I can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon