Monday 19 August 2024

Today is Monday the 19th August in the 20th week of Ordinary Time.


The community of Taizé sing Gott ist nur Liebe. ‘God is nothing but love. Dare to give all for love. Give yourselves without fear.’

Gott ist nur Liebe. Wagt, für die Liebe alles zu geben.

Gott ist nur Liebe. Gebt euch ohne Furcht.



Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 19:16-22

Then someone came to him and said, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honour your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these; what do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

The young man asks Jesus what good deed he must do to gain eternal life; but what does Jesus draw his attention to instead?

Jesus seems more concerned about how we treat people than what we do. Reflect for a few moments about the people you are in touch with, the people you deal with … do you treat them as you would like to be treated? Do you love them as yourself?

As you listen again, hear Jesus inviting the young man to sell his possessions, to free himself from what gets in the way of following Jesus.

You might talk over with Jesus whether there is anything that you are holding onto, perhaps too tightly, which gets in the way of following him more freely.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.