Sir 17:20-24 Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7 Mk 10:17-27

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

Today’s Gospel is one of the most famous and one of the hardest to live out. A man asks Jesus what it takes to gain eternal life. Jesus gives the typical answer of the Ten Commandments. Follow those and you should be good, right? That’s what the man thinks, and that is what he answers. Yet Jesus, as he does throughout the Gospels, takes what the people have known one step further. He says, “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” Basically, 'give up everything you have, give up your very self and come follow me.' The man leaves, disheartened, because he doesn’t think he can do this.

I’d be lying if I said this came easily for me.  This is probably the hardest thing we could ever be asked to do, and it is the hardest. But "no pain, no gain," right? Jesus doesn’t say that the reward will be material, or temporal, or temporary, but it is the best thing God could ever give us: eternal life in communion with him. As I go through my days, I notice that I frequently lose my focus on God. Tests need to be studied for, papers need to be written, parents need to be called. But God asks for everything. It is a continual struggle for us to keep our focus on God. Jesus never said it would be easy (in fact, he said just the opposite), but he said it would be worth it.

God, help me to keep my mind on you as I go through my day, and help me remember that everything I do is for your glory. Amen.