Pastor's Corner - Spiritual Insight

This week, we find a man who walks up to Jesus and asks him: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" This is a question many of us ask, but it is much more than just going to heaven—it is about finding meaning, fulfillment, and true purpose in life.
      Jesus responds by pointing the man to the commandments: “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal…” Jesus starts by reminding him of what we all know is     important - living a good, moral life. We need to treat others with respect, be honest, and live with integrity. The man says, “Teacher, I’ve kept all these things since I was young.” He has been doing everything “right” on the surface—following the rules, living a clean life. But deep down he knows that something is still missing.
      Jesus looks at the man and tells him: “One thing you lack: Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At first, this might seem extreme. Why does Jesus ask this man to sell everything? Is Jesus saying that wealth is bad? Not exactly. What Jesus is doing here is getting to the heart of what is really holding the man back.
     For this particular man, his wealth was his security blanket. It was what he clung to for his sense of identity, comfort, and safety. Jesus was not condemning money itself; He was pointing out that this man’s attachment to his wealth was standing in the way of his relationship with God.
      This story is not just about money; it is about anything in our lives that we put before God. For some of us, it might be our career, our status, our relationships, or even our own sense of control. These things are not necessarily bad, but when they take the place of God in our lives, they become obstacles. Jesus is inviting the man—and all of us—to let go of whatever we are clinging to so tightly and trust in Him completely.  The man walks away “sad, because he had great wealth.” He could not bring himself to do what Jesus asked. He wanted to follow Jesus, but not at the cost of giving up what made him feel secure. This shows how hard it can be for us to truly surrender to God, especially when it means letting go of something we love or depend on.
      The disciples are stunned by this exchange. In their culture, wealth was often seen as a sign of God’s blessing. If even a rich man, who had it all together, could not make it into the kingdom of God, then who could? Jesus answered them “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Jesus is saying that salvation is not something we can earn by our own efforts. It is a gift from God. We cannot get to heaven by just doing good deeds or following rules perfectly. It is about God’s grace, and His ability to do what we cannot do on our own. 
      The parable of the rich man challenges us to think about what might be standing in the way of our relationship with God. Are we willing to let go of what we hold dear if Jesus asks? It is a hard question, but Jesus assures us that what we gain—both now and in eternity—will far outweigh any temporary loss. Jesus is not asking us to live in poverty or give away everything unless it is a barrier in our life. Instead, He is asking us to trust Him fully. To be willing to follow Him, even when it means letting go of the things we find comfort in. It is a journey of faith, but one that leads to real freedom and joy. In the end, this parable reminds us that the path to eternal life is not about what we have or what we do, but about who we trust—Jesus, who makes the impossible possible. Amen!
                                                                                                                       Fr. Eric.