Student Daily Reflection

[143] Wisdom 7:7-11
Psalm 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17
Hebrews 4:12-13
Mark 10:17-30 or 10:17-27

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer
The Daily Reflections

“Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’” (Mark 10: 21)

At World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain in August 2011, Pope Benedict related this story to all of the young people still discerning their vocations. We are each like the rich young man. We continually come to Jesus, and ask Him, “What do I still need to do before I can know my vocation?” Jesus’s initial response is a simple one: observe the commandments. What does that look like for the modern disciple? We must frequent the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, spend time with the Scriptures, particularly the Gospels, meet regularly with a spiritual director, and take time each day to simply be in the presence of God, letting Him speak to the silence of our hearts. Only when we have developed a strong relationship with the Lord can we echo the rich young man and say, “All of these I have observed.”

Then Jesus gives us the real challenge. “Sell what you have, give to the poor…then come, follow me.” What a challenge this is! I do not think that Jesus is asking us to sell our computers, phones, stereos, and electronics and then live the life of a hermit. Rather, what else do we have? In praying with the passage, I have come to realize that other things are more “mine” than any material possession. I have hopes and dreams. I have expectations of what I want life to be. I have my own will, but Jesus is telling me, “No, get rid of all of that. You won’t need it because I have something better in mind for you.” Only when I can honestly say that I want whatever God wants can I get up and follow Him. Only then will I know my vocation, be it the priesthood or holy matrimony.

It is not an easy thing to grasp. The young man left Jesus because He had many hopes, many dreams for his future. The young man had a plan for his own life, and he could not grasp that the Lord was calling him to something more. We must not be afraid of Christ. We must be willing to respond like the disciples, willing to give up everything we value, family, friendships, dreams, and desires for the future. Can we honestly say that we will put anything on the altar of sacrifice to God? Only when we can say yes will we receive a hundred times more in Heaven.

“Do not be afraid to put out into the deep waters and lower your nets for a catch.” -Blessed Pope John Paul II