A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 19:16-22)
“All of these [commandments] 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.
A young man approaches Jesus and asks him, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” Jesus replies, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good.” By saying this, Jesus teaches the young man that the good to be sought is not a value or a precept or human fabrication but God himself, the only One who is good. Having observed all of God’s commandments, the young man asks what else is missing in order for him to gain eternal life. Hearing this, the young man left Jesus in sadness because he had many possessions. Jesus invites us still to be perfect by giving to the poor and by following him. The treasure of eternal life in heaven is in our response to his call.
God, just as Jesus invited the young man to be perfect, you invite me to follow you perfectly. To follow your commandments and sell what I have and give to the poor is a high standard, which on my own I am certain not to attain. Yet, you are the one good I must strive for; I have nowhere else to go, no other way of life that assures me of eternal life. So I come to you, Lord, to ask you for your grace and hear you say, “Follow me.”
From the Gospel acclamation: “Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” God, you alone are good; help me keep to the path of perfection.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.