Daily Gospel Reflection
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August 16, 2021
A young man approached Jesus and said,
“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.
Six years into our marriage, we had four kids, and really it was quite hectic. There was no time to exercise, see friends, or maintain the house, much less spend time with my patient wife. It seemed like my life was not my own. I thought I was doing all the right things, but mostly I felt overwhelmed and stressed. How did my parents do it with six kids?
So I asked my dad, “How did you handle all the sacrifices?”
His response was, “What sacrifices?”
Bam! My dad didn’t see his total commitment to us as a sacrifice at all; he saw it as a joy. How selfless and beautiful! Sadly, I had it all wrong and was thinking only about myself instead of the bigger picture of my vocation as husband and father.
The young man in today’s gospel suffers from the same delusion. Like me, he believed he was doing all the right things—keeping all the commandments and pursuing eternal life, which brought him to Jesus. But Jesus’ response sets the young man back on his heels, saddened that he is being called to give more than he is willing to sacrifice. His attachment to his belongings was the impediment. As a result, he goes away without accepting Jesus’ invitation.
Jesus’ invitation extends to us and remains open. We are called to say “yes” to the Lord’s calling, and that yes is a total, unconditional commitment. Jesus showed us what that looks like from the cross and continues to do so in the sacrament and sacrifice of the Eucharist at every Mass. Given this witness, what is preventing us from saying yes?
Jesus offers us something greater than we could ever own or create ourselves. I am hopeful that, with the grace of God and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can make that personal conversion of heart and commit to what Jesus asks of each of us. We simply need to turn to him and heed his call to “Come, follow me.” Let’s go!
Prayer
Father in heaven, we give you thanks for the many blessings you bestow upon us. Like the rich man we too can struggle with our attachment to the treasures of this life. As we strive to live in ever greater conformity to your Son, help us to free ourselves from worldly possessions. Then, free from those attachments, make us ready for that day when he will return in glory to reign with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Stephen was crowned the first king of Hungary in 1001 and united that nation under Christianity.
He literally established the Church there—erecting churches and recommending bishops to lead in different regions. He commanded tithes to be paid to support new monasteries and parishes, and suppressed pagan beliefs.
He stayed close to the poor. Anyone could tell him their story and find a ready ear, but he made himself especially available to poor people. In one story, he disguised himself to distribute money and goods to the poor himself. A crowd gathered around him, and a small number roughed him up and took for themselves what he had intended to give to many. He laughed it off, happy to suffer for Christ, and resolved to never refuse support to any poor person who asked him.
His son, Blessed Emeric of Hungary was to be heir to the throne, but died in a hunting accident. Stephen was grief-stricken, and spent the rest of his life amidst bitter disputes about his succession.
He died from a painful illness in 1038. On his deathbed, he raised his right hand and asked the Virgin Mary to be Queen of Hungarians. His right hand remained incorrupt after his death and is kept intact as a relic. Known simply as the Holy Right, it is kept in Budapest to this day as a sign that Mary accepted his offer.
Shortly after his death, healings took place at the tomb of St. Stephen. He was canonized as the first confessor king—a new category of saint—and his relics are on display in the Basilica.
St. Stephen of Hungary, you cared most for those in need—pray for us!
Image Credit: Image by Notre Dame alumnus Matthew Alderman, who holds exclusive rights to the further distribution and publication of his art. Used here with permission.