Friday, July 5 : Saint John Chrysostom

It was no small forwardness that the young man had shown; he was a man with great desires. While others were coming to Jesus to put him to trial or to ask him to cure their diseases, or those of other people, this young man comes to him to talk about eternal life. He was like fertile, rich land, but there were thorns there too, ready to choke the seeds (Mt 13:7). Look how he is ready to obey the commandments: “What must I do,” he says, “to inherit eternal life?”… This was not the feeling of any of the Pharisees; they grew furious when their mouths were stopped. But not so this man; he goes away downcast, which is no little sign that he had come not with an evil will but with one too feeble. He did indeed desire life but was held in subjection by another, most grievous desire… “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me … At this statement, he went away sorrowful.” After this the evangelist shows why he felt this way by saying, “He had many possessions.” For those who have little are not equally held in subjection by their possessions as those who overflow with affluence, for then the love of it becomes more tyrannical. The increase of acquisitions kindles the flame more, and renders those who possess them poorer; it puts them in greater desire and makes them feel more their “want”. See what strength this passion exhibited here… “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” Not that Christ blames wealth but those who are held in subjection by it.

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team