Monday: 20^th Week in Ordinary Time-A

I Reading: Judges 2:11-19: The Lord appointed judges but they would not listen to them.

Gospel: Matthew 19:16-22: If you wish to be perfect, sell what you own and you will have treasure in heaven.

The Rich Young Ruler: How a Rich Man Enters the Kingdom of Heaven

The rich young man asked Jesus, “Teacher what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus told him to sell all that he had and give to the poor in order to receive eternal life. This is a great demand of Jesus to love the poor with love, equality and justice in the society.

1. Step 1: Seek eternal life (v.16)

a. Approached Jesus

b. Confess your need

2. Step 2: Know that God alone is good (v.17)

a. The wrong concept of man or woman’s nature: Man/ woman is good

b. The right concept: God alone is good

3. Step 3: Obey the commandments (v. 18-20)

a. The commandments dealing with our neighbour: Especially needed by the rulers and the rich of the world

b. The wrong concept of God’s law: A tragic sense of self-righteousness

4. Step 4: Give all you are and have to Jesus Christ (v.21-22)

a. Results: We receive heaven and treasures in heaven

b. Rejection

          1) Unbelief, v. 17

          2) Self-righteousness, v. 20

          3) Love of world, v.21

Thought: The rich young ruler failed in two areas:

1) He failed to face the reality of man’s nature and the way of an imperfect world (Rom 3:10-20).

2) He failed to understand that Jesus Christ was more than a great and good man (Mt 19:17).

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