Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord. — Psalm 32:11

Mass Readings: Sirach 17:20-24 / Mark 10:17-27

I Surrender All 

We seek formulas for success as God looks for faith that surrenders. In today’s Gospel, a rich young man sought a formula that would secure his ticket to heaven. The man had kept the law, but he hadn’t surrendered to the Law-Giver. Jesus shifts the focus away from good deeds to a good God. 

“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Mt 6:21). The young man’s greatest treasure was not God, but his “many possessions.” It’s not that God wants our possessions; but He doesn’t want our possessions to possess us. Jesus’ call is: “Follow Me.” We can obey laws, but surrender is only possible to a person. Wealth kept that young man from surrendering to Jesus. For you and me, the barrier may be something else: fame, comfort, pleasure, approval. . . . 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to allow You to be Lord of all my life.