DAILY- HOMILY

August 17, 2015 MONDAY, 20th Week in Ordinary Time                  

Green    

Jgs 2:11 – 19 / Mt 19:16 - 22

Reading: Jgs 2:11 – 19

     The Israelites treated Yahweh badly for they served the Baals instead. They abandoned Yahweh, the God of their ancestors who had brought them out of Egypt, and served other gods, the gods of the neighboring peoples. They bowed before those gods and of-fended Yahweh.

     When Yahweh saw that they had abandoned him to serve Baal and Ashtaroth, he became angry with his people and gave them into the hands of plunderers who left them in misery. He himself sold them to their enemies who completely surrounded the Israelites, so that these Israelites could no longer withstand them. Whenever they felt strong for an offensive, Yahweh would turn against them and send evil upon them, as he had warned them and sworn to do. And this caused much distress and anguish for the Israelites.

     Yahweh raised up "judges" (or lib-erators) who saved the Israelites from their exploiters. But neither did they obey those "judges" for they still prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They soon left the way of their fathers who obeyed the commandments of Yahweh; they did not follow the way of their fathers.

     When Yahweh made a judge appear among his people, Yahweh was with him and saved them from their enemies. That lasted as long as the judge lived, for Yahweh was moved to pity by the lament of his people who were oppressed and persecuted. But when the judge died, they again be-came worse than their ancestors – worshiping and serving other gods. They would not renounce their pagan practices and stubborn ways.

Gospel: Mt 19:16 - 22

     It was then that a young man approached him and asked, "Master, what good work must I do to receive eternal life?" Jesus answered, "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Only one is Good. If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments." 

     The young man said, "Which commandments?" Jesus replied, "Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself."

     The young man said to him, "I have kept all these commandments, what is still lacking?" Jesus answered, "If you wish to be perfect, go and sell all that you possess and give the money to the poor and you will become the owner of a treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me."

     On hearing this answer, the young man went away sad for he was a man of great wealth.

Reflection:

     In the Gospel reading today about the rich young man who asked Jesus about "what good work must one do to receive eternal life, Jesus make a distinction between "entering eternal life" and "wishing to be perfect."

     "To enter eternal life" one should keep the commandments: "Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself."

     But "if you wish to be perfect, go and sell all that you possess and give the money to the poor and you will become the owner of a treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me."

     In the Mark's version of the story, "Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him." Jesus was inviting the young man to close discipleship and fellowship with him. But, "on hearing these words, his face fell and he went away sorrowful for he was a man of great wealth."

     All of us are to keep the commandments to enter eternal life. The commandments detail our key relationships and obligations towards God, ourselves and our neighbor. The commandments protect our God-given rights with regards to ourselves, our property and what we are. They also then proclaim our obligations regarding these rights as others possess them.

     As St. Ignatius puts in his Spiritual Exercises, there are those who wish to be perfect, "those who wish to give greater proof of their love, and to distinguish themselves in whatever concerns the service of the Eternal King and the Lord of all will not only offer themselves entirely for the work, but will act against their sensuality and carnal and worldly love, and make offerings of greater value and of more importance."  

     Our Lord urges and encourages all to seek perfection, "For your part you shall be righteous and perfect in the way your heavenly Father is righteous and perfect." (Mt 5: 48) 

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     BILLIE CHING SYLING

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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