Holyrood Church 715 West 179 Street, Upper West side Manhattan, USA, 212-923-3770

Are we willing to give up everything to follow Jesus?

 
Reading: Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. Mark 10:21.
 
Good morning, happy Monday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
Today’s Gospel (Mark 10:17-27) is the story of the man who comes to Jesus and asks him, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Rather than answering the man’s question, Jesus asks the man a question, “Why do you call me good? Only God alone is good.” Jesus is a bit abrupt with the man. He then tells him, “You know the commandments! Do what the commandments tell you.”
 
However, the young man is not satisfied. He tells Jesus that he has followed the commandments since he was a young child. The young man longs to do more than to simply follow the commandments; he yearns for something deeper. Mark writes: “Jesus looked at the man and loved him.” What a powerful and yet tender statement! Clearly, this young man wished to give his all to God and to wholeheartedly live out the commandments of God.
 
Jesus is surprised by this young man’s deep and sincere desire and instantly Jesus’ heart was filled with love for this young man who hungers for God.  In response to the young man’s question, Jesus tells him that he is lacking one thing. He tells the young man to sell all his belongings, give the money to the poor, and then come and follow him. This was not the response for which the young man was hoping. When the man begins to comprehend what Jesus is saying, he is stupefied. He wants to follow Jesus; however, he never expected that he would have to give away all his belongings and leave his family and his friends to become an itinerant follower of Jesus. The price of following Jesus was far too steep for this young man. Eventually the young man walked away from Jesus sad and dismayed.
 
There are many things that can entrap us in life. It may be possessions, opinions, good name, self-importance. These things can captivate the human heart and the real treasure can be lost.
 
The man knew the right kind of questions to ask but did not realize their implications. He did not see where he was most vulnerable. What about us? Are we willing to give up everything to follow Jesus? At times, the cost of following Jesus simply may be too high for us. We might have to leave behind all that we have struggled to build and secure.   Yet are we truly happy with our lives?  Do our possessions and security really bring us happiness? Lord, give us the gift of honesty and the freedom to live in the truth of who you are and who we are, so that we make good choices in our living with you and for you.
 
Blessings,
 
Luis+

Date news: 
Monday, February 28, 2022 - 12:00

Ministry at the time of Coronavirus (Covid 19): Prevent, cure and accompany

Now we have to shape what some have started calling; The Church at Home. Although I keep asking myself; What do those who do not have a home do? For this reason, at the same time, I am declaring today in our Holyrood Church a Lenten day of prayer, fasting and reading the Bible in the Time of the Coronavirus.

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