"Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)

Monday, August 18, 2014

Ultimate Test of Freedom

        Today's Gospel reading at Mass came from Matthew 19. A young man asked Jesus what good he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments. The young man said he observed all of them and asked what he still lacked. And Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." The young man heard it and went away sad, for he had many possessions. Here we have the ultimate test of freedom! It separates those who merely believe in the Lord from those who believe and follow him. You may not need to actually sell that you have ~ it's the willingness to be detached from all material things that matters. This detachment should also include detachment from your loved ones and yourself, for pure love has no room for attachment to anyone other than God.   

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