Character

“Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. (Matthew 19:16-22)

It appears from this Gospel reading that we cannot follow Jesus unless we sell all our possessions and give their value to the poor.  If this is truly the case, then our Shepherd would have no sheep.  No cars?  No TVs?  No way!

Jesus’ point is a good one.  The more connected we are to possessions, the more the need for money to buy things, even things we really do not need.   But the poor need, and our money is better used to meet that need always consistent with Jesus’ commandments.

We must be loyal to Jesus whose character is without fault in contrast to those who have little to none.  To whom we give our loyalty is the best judge of our own character.   We must choose wisely. 

Deacon David Pierce