In my job as a high school theology teacher, students often come into my class, focusing on the literal interpretation of the commandments. They say, “Well, of course, I do not kill. Of course, I do not commit adultery.” And yet, when any of us, my students and myself included, are challenged to look more deeply into these commands, how many times do we, like that man in the gospel, walk away?

As Christians, we are called to be with those on the margins—the poor, the vulnerable, the sick, the imprisoned—and to give up some personal comfort in that being with others. This can be a tough ask—I don’t want to give up my immediate personal gratification and trade it in for helping others who may make my life more complicated. We walk away when called to that hard work—giving up the material things of this world and really following Jesus.

It makes sense. We have worked hard for our comfortable lifestyles—a new iPhone, a new pair of Jordans, a Lululemon bag. But let’s really take today’s parable to heart. We hear Jesus inviting us to “Go!” to work hard for more important things, like spending time at a local soup kitchen sharing food with those in need, volunteering at a school educating underserved young people, or listening to an elderly person share stories of their youth.

Doing these things is the best way to live out Jesus’ message to “Come, follow me.”