-(Please read the Scripture passage before reading the homily.)
The prophets kept telling the people to love the Lord their God wholeheartedly and to follow God’s way without reservation. The commandments are a brief summary of how to love God and follow God’s way without wavering.
On the other hand, a person can use the commandments as a checklist. “I did not kill anyone physically, so I am okay on that one. I didn’t steal anything although I lied and got a discount, so I am okay on that one. I didn’t physically commit adultery, so I am okay there, too. I ddid complain about the lousy people I live with or work with, but it is all truthful so I am not bearing false witness. I pray to God every day, but I cannot stand my next-door neighbors. What more ought I do?”
Jesus reminds us that doing this does not make us good because “only One is good”, God. He also insinuates that he is God. He suggests that, since the man asked him about what is good and because only God is good, therefore he must be God. He further suggests that, since a person has to follow him in order to be perfect, he must have the same authority that God has.
What is the path to perfection? It is letting go of everything that makes us separate or different from others. It is identifying ourselves with the poor, the ones who do not have what we have. It is in following Jesus.
This is a radical challenge, but he time is short and the kingdom of heaven is at hand. It is now or never. It is the time of completion. There is not tomorrow; this is it. To gain eternal life, we must leave everything aside and follow Jesus into the eternal life of God.
This is the theme of many of the parables Jesus used. In a way, this story is a parable in action. We get a full view of the man’s personal life and the conclusion catches us unawares. If we have many possessions or if we want to hold on to what we think we own, then we will go away sad. On the other hand, if we get rid of all we have and follow Jesus, we shall be glad, not sad.