The Rich Young Man

Here is a reflection on today's Gospel from Pope John Paul II:

"The sadness of the young man makes us reflect. We could be tempted to think that having many possessions, owning plenty of the goods of this world, can bring happiness. We see instead in the case of the young man in the Gospel that his many possessions had become an obstacle to his accepting the call of Jesus to follow him. He was not ready to say 'yes' to Jesus, and 'no' to self, to say 'yes' to love and 'no' to escapism. Real love is demanding. . . For it was Jesus - our Jesus himself - who said: "You are my friends if you do what I command you" (John 15:14). Love demands effort and a personal commitment to the Will of God. It means discipline and sacrifice, but it also means joy and human fulfilment. . . Open your hearts to the Christ of the Gospels - to his love and his truth and his joy. Do not go away sad!"
(Homily, Boston Common, 1 October 1979)