Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Matthew 19: 16-22
August 18, 2025 | Monday

Today’s Gospel

It was then, that a young man approached him and asked,“Master, what good work must I do to receive eternal life?” Jesus answered, “Why do you ask me about what is good? One, only, is good. If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments.” The young man said, “Which commandments?” Jesus replied, “Do not kill; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and mother. And love your neighbor as yourself.”

The young man said to him, “I have kept all these commandments. What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell all that you possess, and give the money to the poor; and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me.” On hearing this, the young man went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth.

Today’s Reflection

The Book of Judges records the individuals who became leaders of the people, and the hand of the Lord was with them. It also records the struggle of a people in keeping fidelity to the Lord and the Covenant, their relapse to the “sins of their ancestors,” and their “prostitute- like” attitude in worshipping other gods. This attitude and lapses are repeated, and the cycle of punishment, repentance, and obeying the Law and the Covenant were observable in their history. The Book of Joshua until the time of the Kings (Books) is called the “Deuteronomic History” in the sense that the narrative is based on the framework of Deuteronomy and judged according to the Laws and the Covenant encoded in the Book of Deuteronomy. But it is not only a story of this repeated cycle; it is also a story of a “jealous God” who loves and cares for his people; it is a story of his God’s love.

The story of the rich young man in the Gospel episode came to ask Jesus about how to obtain eternal life. The way he addresses Jesus as “teacher” instead of “Lord” bares that he is not one of the disciples of Jesus or one of His followers or is going to be one of His disciples. He might be one of those “planted by the authorities” to post difficult questions or maybe one of those guilty bystanders who was affected by His persona and His preaching. The rich young man asked for a praxis or actions needed for eternal life. Jesus quoted the text of the Law or Commandments from the Book of Deuteronomy. He answered that he was faithfully following the Mosaic Law. Still, by the tone of the question, he is not contented only with the practical and routinary observance of the Law, and in his admission, it seems that something is lacking. Jesus, noticing the inner wish of this young man, retorted on the extent of the Law of Perfection and the Law of Love. Jesus now challenges him on the radical following of perfection. Christ demands for him and the rest of us a radical change of attitude and to focus on what is essential for eternal life. How many times have we been “almost there” but were hindered by other externalities in our focus on gaining a radical change of heart? Just as the young man, we lose sight of what is essential in becoming a true disciple of Christ.

/Vulnerasti, 2025