Sunday, August 15 Go, sell what things you have and give to the poor, . . . and come be my follower.​—Mark 10:21.

[Áine]

Sunday, August 15

Go, sell what things you have and give to the poor, . . . and come be my follower.—Mark 10:21.

 

We must be realistic. Each of us has a certain amount of energy. So we must be careful about what we take on. For example, we could waste energy trying to gather material possessions. Note what Jesus said to a rich young man who asked him: “What must I do to inherit everlasting life?” He must have been a decent man because Mark’s Gospel account specifically states that Jesus “felt love for him.” Jesus presented the young ruler with the invitation above. The man was torn, but it appears that he could not let go of his “many possessions.” (Mark 10:17-22) As a result, he rejected the yoke that Jesus had offered him and continued to slave “for Riches.” (Matt. 6:24) What choice would you have made? From time to time, it is good for us to reassess our priorities in life. Why? So that we can make sure that we are using our energy wisely. w19.09 24 ¶17-18

[Sister Twister]

I remember an illustration from an assembly , gathering material possessions and making a good life in this system is like polishing the brass on the Titanic , its effect is temporary and a waste of time and energy . 

[Vinnie]

Sometimes it's not What will you give up in connection with Christ but how we truly feel when we make such sacrifices.  We all have different resources that we can sacrifice. But what is our attitude towards them? The rich man Jesus spoke to, at first was sad but then went away grieved.  Was too much asked of him in exchange for everlasting life?  It's something we can ask ourselves too. What would make us sad and grieved to give up?