Fr Ed Homily 8-18-20

What’s In It For Me?

When people come to you with a new idea, a change that requires you to participate, our first thoughts naturally turn to What’s in it for me?. We begin to weigh what effort we will have to contribute. Will it require me to spend my money? How much time must I contribute? Where will this fit into my already busy schedule? And finally, why are you coming to me?

Jesus asked the rich young man to give up his possessions. The young man’s time, energy and focus were all on what he owned. But there was something else in this young man. A desire to follow the commandments. But he didn’t understand how. He was doing the right thing by following the commandments, but his heart was not in it. The good things he did were to enable him to promote his wealth and status in the community.

It’s a big change to go and sell what you have and come and follow me. And the young man realized that; he went off discouraged, but with food for thought. The young man would need time to think about this. His material possessions, his position in the community, or his own pride in what he has accomplished – do all these things really bring me happiness? Or does this Jesus have a spiritual joy that exceeds all that this world has to offer?

Every day our life reflects how we answer this last question. What will be your answer?

May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.