The gospel of today’s Mass tells us how, as Jesus was leaving the city, a young man came running to consult Him. The three evangelists who narrate this event all say that the man was of a good social position. He knelt before Christ and asked a question that is basic for every man: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17)
Our Lord began answering him by talking of some general things—keep the commandments. And He then enumerated them—do not kill, do not steal, do not commit adultery…. But the young man answered, “Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth” (Mark 10:20).
And as Saint Matthew records, the young man asked: “What do I still lack? (Matthew 19:20).
What else is lacking? This is the question that all of us may have asked at one time when we have felt that intimate dissatisfaction for those good things which, nevertheless, fail to fill the human heart. And Christ has a personal answer for each one—the only effective answer.
Jesus knew that in the heart of that young man, there was a reserve of generosity, there was a great capacity of self-surrender. That is why Jesus looked at him with affection, with a special love, and Jesus invited him to a life of total dedication, free of all attachments.
“You lack one thing.” Only one thing. What expectation that man must have felt before the words of Jesus! Beyond any doubt, this would be the most important thing he would hear in his whole existence. “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor… and come, follow me” (Mark 10:21).
The young man did not expect that. The plans of God do not always coincide with our own plans, with those plans that we may have conjured in our imagination or dreams. The divine plans, in some way or another, always entail detachment from everything that can tie us down.
To follow Christ, we need to be free. The great riches of this young man became a great obstacle for his acceptance of Christ’s invitation. Yet Christ’s invitation was certainly the greatest thing that ever happened in his life.
God calls every one—sick and healthy, rich and poor, old and young, gifted persons and persons of modest capacities. Every man and woman must learn how to discover the special path to which God calls him or her. And we can be sure that God calls everyone of us to a life of holiness, of generosity, of detachment and dedication to God.
God tells each one of us, “Come, follow me.” If we say “yes” to his invitation, we shall fulfill God’s project for our life. But if, through selfishness, we deny God’s call, we shall “go away sad,” like the rich young man.
He retained his riches, His attachments and his personal pet projects. But he lost the chance to follow Christ closely.