READINGS:
1 R : 1 Pt 1 :3 - 9.
Ps 110 :1 - 2, 5 - 6, 9 & 10c.
Gos : MK 10 : 17 - 27.
WHY DOES JESUS TELLS THE RICH YOUNG MAN TO GO AND SELL EVERYTHING, GIVE IT TO THE POOR AND THEN FOLLOW HIM?
THIS QUESTION IS PERTINENT BECAUSE JESUS DID NOT TELL LIKE THAT TO ZACCHAE'US , WHO OBVIOUSLY WAS VERY RICH.
PROBABLY MATHEW ALSO WAS RICH.
JESUS TELLS HIM TO SELL AND GIVE TO THE POOR BECAUSE
DEFINITELY RICH YOUNG MAN THOUGHT HE CAN ALSO BUY SALVATION / ETERNAL LIFE BY MONEY.
SECONDLY THERE IS A GENERAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE BIBLE SCHOLARS THAT THE RICH YOUNG MAN DID NOT FOLLOW THE BASIC MOSAIC LAW,THOUGH HE CLAIMS OTHERWISE.
THE BASIC MOSAIC LAW IS " LOVE GOD AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELVES.
THIRDLY IN ORDER TO GAIN SALVATION ONE SHOULD LOSE ONESELF.
REMEMBER INDIAN SPIRITUALITY, " ' NANU ' HODARE HOGABAHUDHU HARIA MANEGE " ( KANNADA SENTANCE- MEANING TO SAY IF " I ", EGO IS GONE THAN ALONE YOU CAN REACH HEAVEN. )
NOT ONLY RICHES; ALSO OTHER THINGS, MAY BE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, IDEAS TAKE A FEW AWAY FROM ETERNAL LIFE.
THEREFORE YOU SHOULD BE READY TO FOREGO " RICHES ".
IN THE FIRST READING THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL ASSURANCE.
WHEN YOU ACCEPT TRIALS IT IS LIKE THE GOLD PURIFIED IN THE FURNACE.
AND YOUR REWARD WILL BE GREAT IN HEAVEN.
LETS LEARN TO BE RICH IN GOD'S SIGHT.
