Today's Gospel in Art - Go and sell what you own and follow me

Christ and the Rich Young Man, by Heinrich Hofmann, 1889, at Riverside Church, New York

Gospel of 19th August 2019 - Matthew 19: 16-22

There was a man who came to Jesus and asked, 'Master, what good deed must I do to possess eternal life?' Jesus said to him, 'Why do you ask me about what is good? There is one alone who is good. But if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.' He said, 'Which?' 'These:' Jesus replied 'You must not kill. You must not commit adultery. You must not bring false witness. Honour your father and mother, and: you must love your neighbour as yourself.' The young man said to him, 'I have kept all these. What more do I need to do?' Jesus said, 'If you wish to be perfect, go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.' But when the young man heard these words he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth.

Reflection

Today's reading has all to do with eternal life and our entry into the Kingdom of God. First Jesus tells the rich young man to obey the commandments. When the man, who we see lavishly dressed in today's painting, responds that he already observes them, and asks what else he can do, Jesus responds 'If you wish to be perfect, go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me'. All we know is that the young man walked away sorrowful. For me the main lesson of the story is that we never heard of him again… What happened to him after?

Jesus of course did not want to trick this good young man or be after his riches, no, He was simply calling him to a life of perfection, which is by way of separation of his attachment to his many worldly goods...

To read on see: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/147