Do not be possessed by your possessions

Judg. 2:11-19, Mt. 19:16-22. The story in today's first reading often mirrors our lives in relation to God. Sometimes we tend to ignore God more in time of success than of failure. The Israelites see Canaan as the promised land, the goal of the exodus, the reward of the patriarchs who were buried in its. However, the prosperity of the land poses risks and temptations, inducements to selfishness and class-distinctions. Whenever misuse of talents and property leads to humiliation and loss, we experience the chastening hand of God. This chastisement could be in form of disciplinary move, to purify us anew and help us start over again. In the same way, Jesus wants the rich young man who met him to start over again in his attachment to his possession.

The rich young man in today's Gospel, like the people of Israel, refused to follow the true God, He walked away sad from Jesus because of his possession. Through this encounter, we are taught the virtue of detachment and not to allow our possessions to distract us or prevent us from loving God and dedicating ourselves to Him with all of our hearts and with all of our strength. The people of Israel continued to fall into their sinful ways because they did not truly love God with all of their hearts and they kept on being distracted and tempted as a result.

May the Lord be with us in our trials and give us the courage to forgive others, as He forgives us our trespasses! Amen!! Good morning and have a fruitful week!!