19 Aug
Tue
20th Week in Ordinary Time
St Alberto Hurtado, SJ, priest
Ez. 28:1-10
(R. Ps.) Deut. 32:26-28,30, 35-36
Mt. 19:23-30
(Ps Wk IV)
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The Apostles looked on with sorrow as the young man declined to follow Christ by giving up his material wealth. They saw him take his leave with that sadness peculiar to those who couldn't bring themselves to go that extra mile. Everyone there was disappointed at the thought that the rich young man could have been one of Christ's disciples.

A disordered love for material wealth whether much or little, is a serious obstacle to the following of Christ. This is the lesson we learn from the incident involving the rich young man in yesterday's Gospel. We, Christians, have to examine often our sense of detachment from things, as will be shown in the way we live with sobriety and temperance. Am I really detached from external things? Do I value the needs of my soul in a way that brings me closer to God? Do I avoid unnecessary expenditure? Do I take good care of the things I own and of the things I am responsible for? What a shame if we were to stop following Christ for the sake of something really unimportant!



Lord, help me to know well my set of values and live by them if they are the true values of Christ.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That the human family may know how to respect God's design for the world and thus become ever more aware of the great gift of God which creation represents for us.
Elaboration

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