Monday 18th August – Monday of week 20 of the year

Reflection: Matthew 19:16-22

THE SACRIFICE FOR PERFECTION

In today’s gospel reading Christ calls us to a state of perfection which demands total renunciation of ourselves. In order to attain this state, there is need for us to be totally detached from all our earthly gains and readily embrace God’s commands at all times. Regardless of how rich we may be, we must recognise that we are custodians of God’s blessings and must always be willing to share with the needy around us. Today, many Christians attach too much importance to worldly gains at the expense of their heavenly pursuit just like the young man in today’s Gospel reading.

When we deny our neighbours in need the opportunity of benefiting from God’s goodness to us, we are clearly saying to God that we cannot be trusted with the fleeting riches of this world (Luke 16:11). Invariably, there is limit to what God can commit to our trust. Inability to share is the root cause of persistent lack in some Christian’s life. It is in giving that we receive (Luke 6:38); it is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life (Luke 9:23; John 12: 24-25). The more we walk in love, the better we grow in perfection. Sincere love is indeed sacrificial (1 John 3:16-18).

Let us examine ourselves today! Are we making loving sacrifices that make for perfection? Are we holding too tightly to earthly treasures that we are forgoing that of heaven? Today, the Lord is asking you and I to reconsider our priorities, to be more generous with the goods of this world. As we wholeheartedly dedicate our entire lives and all that we have to God, we will each day grow in perfection and the attainment of heaven will be our ultimate reward.

PRAYER: Heavenly father, I pray today that I may have the wisdom to create the right attitude towards the wealth and riches you have given me; that these earthly gains will not constitute a hindrance my quest for heaven. Amen.

HIDE A TREASURE: Respect your father and your mother; and love your neighbour as you love yourself. Matthew 19:19 GNB

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 62- Are we all supposed to become “saints”?

Yes. The purpose of our life is to be united with God in love and to correspond entirely to God’s wishes. We should allow God “to live his life in us” (Mother Teresa). That is what it means to be holy: a “saint”.

Readings for today: Ezekiel 24:15-24; Deuteronomy 32:18-21; Matthew 19:16-22