Give it all away

Most of us are far from rich, but most of us also live fairly comfortable lives (especially in comparison to the billions of poor people in the world).

Would we give it all up?

Would we give up our comforts? Our TV? Our computers? Our phones? Our dinners out?

Would we do that if Jesus Christ looked us in the eye and said,

Go, sell what you have,
and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven;
then come, follow me.

Honestly. What would we do?

That is the challenge offered by our Lord in today’s Gospel (Mark 10:17-30).

Does that mean that Christ is today telling all of us to give away everything we have right now? Not exactly.

Christ invited the young man to give away everything and follow Him.

Christ also invites many among us to give away everything and follow Him, especially in the call to religious life as Dominicans, Franciscans, Missionaries of Charity, et cetera.

Many others among us are responsible for using our possessions for the care of children and for the good of others who need us.

But all of us – every one of us – priest or parent, rich or struggling, young or old, professed religious or professional success – every one of us must live our lives with detachment: keeping our hearts set on the things of heaven and ready (really ready) to give up the things of this world when the need arises and when God calls.