The Young Man went away sad - Very very Unfortunate

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 20th Week - Monday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 19:16-22*

*First Reading - 1 Jgs 2:11-19*

*The Young Man went away sad - Very very Unfortunate*

*1) Young man goes away sad after meeting Jesus*

Perhaps this is the only incident in the Gospel, that a person goes away with sadness after meeting Jesus 

In the Gospel we have many examples and incidents where people come in search of Jesus and with great difficult they try to meet Jesus. All those who met Jesus and experienced His love and mercy went away with happiness, contentment and with a sense of gratitude

But here is a strange situation where a Young man goes away with sadness, which appears to be most unfortunate 

*2) Who was the cause for His sadness*

When we analyse the incident, the Young man came with lots of hope to know the real truths about eternal life 

In the process he realises that, his possessions were hurdles for attaining eternal life. So he became very sad.

Now the question is who is the cause for his sadness? 

Definitely not Jesus, because Jesus has not caused any kind pain towards the Young man. So Jesus is not the cause of his sadness

His attachment to his possession was the primary cause of his sadness. That made him sad and he went away with sadness

*3) Too much of attachment to the Worldly things is a great threat for our spiritual growth*

The Young man, practically met Jesus, spoke to him, and had all opportunities to experience Jesus' deep love and his divine providence. But even after having personal encounter, he failed and went away sad 

This shows that too much of attachment to the worldly things, is really a threat for the genuine encounter of the Lord. 

So one needs to be careful about this attitude of life

*4) Various Spiritual exercises and my attachments*

We have many spiritual exercises like, prayer, rosary, adoration, Eucharistic celebration, prayer meeting, retreats, pilgrimage to the Holy places etc 

In spite of having all these spiritual exercises, still if we are attached too much to the wotdly things, the above spiritual exercises become fruitless and we go away with sad faces like that Young man. 

It is very difficult for the Young man  to change his perspective because of his deep attachment. As a result he lost everything, went away sad. 

Likewise it may be difficult for us, if we are too much engrossed with the wordly things, and we also lose all the spiritual graces, which results in sadness rather than happiness 

*4) There is no reference of the Young man after his departure with sadness*

Zacchaeus got converted, after he encountered Jesus. Jesus told him, salvation has come to this house. He was saved. 

Samaritan Woman met Jesus, and she went away with joy and Happiness and she was saved, became an apostle to spread the good news 

Matthew the Tax Collector left all his possession, followed Jesus, became an evangelist. 

This young man met Jesus, went way sad. After words no mention about him. Probably with his possession, he was lost forever 

Ultimately His love for wordly things not only made him sad when he met Jesus, it took away his reference from the bible itself. Great tragedy of his life. 

*6) How about my life?*

What is the level of my interest or enthusiasm to meet Jesus? 

Is it only at the peripheral level or at deeper level? 

Do I feel sad or feel happy after I meet Jesus in the ordinary events of my life? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*