3 March, Monday — The One That Got Away

Monday of Week 8 in Ordinary Time

Ecc 17:20-28
Mk 10:17-27

“Go and sell everything you own and give the money to the poor…”

Have you ever walked away from something amazing because you just couldn’t let go of something else? Maybe you refused to upgrade your mobile phone because you were too attached to your old, cracked-screen warrior. Or you turned down a vacation of a lifetime because you couldn’t bear to leave your pet behind. That is what happens in today’s gospel passage, but on a much larger, eternal scale.

In this passage, we meet a rich young man who seems to have everything — youth, wealth and a heart that genuinely seeks God. He runs up to Jesus (no casual strolling here) and asks, “Good Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He is eager, enthusiastic and seemingly expecting a checklist he could easily tick off. On keeping the commandments, the young man responds to Jesus, probably with a hint of pride, that he has kept these since his earliest days. Jesus then does something unexpected — He looks at the young man with love and challenges him, “You lack one thing. Sell all you have, give to the poor and come follow me”.     

Yikes, this wasn’t in his checklist. The young man is crestfallen and, instead of leaping at the opportunity to follow Jesus, he walks away sad. Why? Because he had a lot of stuff and was unwilling to part with them. Now, Jesus isn’t saying that money is evil, or that everyone has to sell everything to follow Him. Rather, Jesus is asking, “What’s holding you back?” What is the one thing you just can’t imagine giving up, even if it means gaining something far greater?

For the rich young man, it was his wealth. For us, it might be our comfort, our pride, our plans or our need to be in control. Jesus, in His loving way, gently reminds us that clinging too tightly to anything — except Him — can keep us from the joy He wants to give us. 

The disciples, watching this unfold, are in disbelief. “If this guy can’t make it, what about the rest of us?” Jesus affirms that salvation is not something that can be earned by human effort, wealth or moral achievement; only by surrendering to God’s mercy can one enter the kingdom of God. 

Back to the rich young man. If only he could see that he was not losing security, but that Jesus was offering him an adventure, a purpose and eternal life! If only he had stayed a little longer. If only he had trusted just that little bit more.

Ultimately, this passage is both a warning and a promise. It warns of the danger of misplaced attachments, but also reassures us that, while salvation is impossible by human means, God’s grace makes all things possible. Let’s ask ourselves: what is the “one thing” that Jesus might be asking us to let go of? And instead of walking away sad, maybe — just maybe — we can take a deep breath, say a little prayer and run after Him instead.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Stephanie Eber)

Prayer: Lord God, help me to let go of anything that keeps me from following You fully. Give me the courage to trust that what You offer is always greater than what I leave behind.

Thanksgiving: Thank you Jesus, for loving me even when I hesitate. I am grateful that with You, all things are possible and that You never stop inviting me to walk in Your joy. Amen.