What do I need to do?

Happy Monday. I can't believe a new week is upon us again already! Get your day going in the right direction by spending some time in The Word by READING and/or LISTENING to our mass readings for today.

Our Gospel (Mark 10:17-27) has many of us face a tough truth in our life, are we really willing to do what it takes?

A rich man encounters Jesus and wants to know what it takes to get into heaven. 

Jesus first asks the man if he knows the commandments, which the man says he does and has kept since he was a boy. Then Jesus lays the bombshell on him. "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." 

Jesus knew the heart of the man. It wasn't that the man was rich that was the problem, it is how he allowed his wealth to come between him and God. 

The commandments aren't a check list. If you don't have the right heart and intent for doing what you do and not doing, you are missing the entire point.

Jesus says that it is hard to enter the Kingdom of God. I think sometimes we forget that this is not easy and there will be struggle. We must make sacrifices, submit and be obedient. Yes, heaven is a gift and God wants us all to enter, but it is still difficult.

The disciples get a little bummed thinking this is impossible and who can possibly be saved. Jesus agreed that for man it is impossible, but with God ALL things are possible. On our own we are nothing and can do nothing! With God and His mighty power, we can do all things.