What more do I need to do?

Ezk. 24:15-24, Mt. 19:16-22. In today's first reading, Ezekiel is ordered not to mourn publicly the death of his wife. She is described by the endearing phrase, “the delight of your eyes.” People are amazed that on the day after her death, Ezekiel proceeds with life as usual. They ask him: "Will you not tell us what all these things that you are doing mean for us?" He replies that the people shall not mourn or weep, perhaps because of sheer exhaustion after the long siege and its horrifying experience, when God “will desecrate my sanctuary, the stronghold of your pride, the delight of your eyes, the desire of your soul.” As we accept the inevitable as God’s mysterious providence, we get the strength to begin over again. Today, Jesus challenges us to make the best use of our gifts, talents and assets, by sharing them with others.

We are being led deeply into the mystery of the Kingdom where actions are not judged by worldly wisdom but by the instincts of faith. In today's Gospel, we have the story of a good man who wanted to be better. He kept all the commandments of the Lord faithfully, but he had a sense that this was not enough. He felt called to something more, and, so, he said to Jesus: “What more do I need to do?” There are times in our lives when we might experience in ourselves a strong desire to go beyond where we are, to grow in our relationship with the Lord, to be more generous in doing His will. In one form we find ourselves asking ourselves this man’s question, “What more do I need to do?” Jesus asked this particular man to sell his possession, give his money to the poor and then to set out along the road after Jesus, as Peter, Andrew, James, John and others had done. Yet, the Lord has a purpose for our lives which will always take us beyond where we are. We find our happiness in yielding to the Lord’s purpose for our lives. If we do so, we can be assured that He will give us all the grace and strength we need for the journey.

May the Lord help us to step out in faith, with trust that He will lead us to where we should be! Amen!! Remain safe and have a fruitful week!!!