Fr Tristan Writes 13th October 2024

We are in an age when many of us find it difficult to make both ends meet and we are bombarded with a set of values based on the need for material security. It judges our success by the value of our bank account, the size of our house and possessions. But the wisdom from God, especially this Sunday, we are told that we can’t buy our way into heaven.

The rich man was the epitome of his standing and responsibility, a stickler for going to church and observing commandments. He had his act together and was assertive enough to ask what else should I do to inherit eternal life? His big boast was that he had done nothing wrong in his life. But Jesus was more interested in the use he had made of his life, in the good he had done and whether he was prepared to go out of his way to help others. He looked at him straight and invited him to sell all he had and to come follow him. The man went away saddened because he was unable to make the sacrifice and Jesus singles him out as a warning for us.

Being rich for most us may not be a problem but all are invited to answer the call of God: ‘Come and Follow me’. Am I worth following? We are not here to admire Jesus how he lived but to live it fully and be not part-time followers. Discipleship is costly and Jesus makes stark demands in our lifestyle. We have only one life and we achieve this by helping others and not grasping everything for ourselves.