First Reading - Judges 2:11-19
Gospel - Matthew 19:16-22
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In the first reading, the book of Judges describes how Israel repeatedly abandoned the Lord to serve other gods. Each time they strayed, they fell into oppression and suffering. Yet, whenever they cried out, God raised up judges to rescue them. This cycle reveals not only human weakness but also God’s unfailing mercy. He never gave up on His people, even when they gave up on Him.
In the Gospel, a young man comes to Jesus with a sincere question: “What good deed must I do to have eternal life?” He has kept the commandments faithfully, but when Jesus calls him to the next step — to give up his possessions and follow Him — the young man goes away sad. He could not let go of his wealth, and in that moment, his possessions became his idol, his “other god.”
Dear friends, the readings point us to the same truth: our hearts easily wander when we cling to what cannot save us. Whether it is wealth, comfort, power, or approval, these false gods promise happiness but leave us empty. True life, true freedom, comes only from choosing the Lord wholeheartedly, again and again.
Jesus does not simply ask the young man to give something up; He invites him into something greater — to walk beside Him, to share in His life, to find treasure that never fades. But fear and attachment held him back. How often does the same happen in our lives?
The challenge of today’s Gospel is clear: what is keeping us from following Christ more fully? What are the “other gods” we cling to that prevent us from surrendering everything to Him?
May we learn from Israel’s struggles and the young man’s sadness. Let us ask for the grace to place God first in all things, to release whatever binds us, and to follow Jesus with joy and freedom. For only in Him do we find the eternal life our hearts truly desire.
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