Post-Vatican II Roman Catholicism has emphasized the compassion of Jesus and the love of God for all of creation, and rightly so. But even a superficial reading of the Gospels reveals that interactions with Jesus were often disquieting and uncomfortable. Today's Gospel passage is surely one example.

The man who asked Jesus the question was, apparently, morally upright and sincerely interested in doing good. It is interesting that the set of commandments which Jesus lists are those related to human interactions in society. He skips the first three commandments entirely, those setting forth the relationship of humans with God. Those responsibilities are covered in Jesus' second suggestion, that the man sell all he has, give the money to the poor, and then follow Jesus.

But the man had many possessions, and did not know how he could do that - was not sure he wanted to.

In this Gospel story, Jesus seems to give the rich man an option: "If you wish to be perfect . . ." But that is not an escape hatch for us. Elsewhere Jesus tells us that we must be perfect, "as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt 5:48). The challenge is to use our wealth and possessions for others, not for one's self. But even there, concerns for how to do that correctly brings us full circle: our possessions are still possessing us!