When He tells the rich young man, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me,"
He issues a call to radical discipleship that strikes at the heart of our relationship with material wealth and our commitment to follow Christ. For Catholics, this passage prompts deep reflection on how we can live out this command in our modern lives.
Understanding the Context
First, it is essential to understand the context of this passage.
The rich young man who approaches Jesus is genuinely seeking to live a righteous life, having kept the commandments from his youth. Jesus, recognising the man's sincere desire for perfection, challenges him to go further, to detach himself from his material wealth and to place his trust entirely in God.
The Call to Detachment
The primary message of Jesus’ command is the call to detachment. Detachment does not necessarily mean that every Catholic must literally sell all their possessions, but it does mean that we should not be overly attached to material things. Wealth and possessions, while not inherently evil, can become obstacles to spiritual growth if they dominate our lives and distract us from our relationship with God.
To live up to this command, we can start by examining our attitudes towards our possessions. Are we overly attached to our wealth, our comforts, or our status? Do these things hinder our ability to follow Christ wholeheartedly? By honestly answering these questions, we can begin to understand where we need to grow in detachment.
Practicing Generosity
A practical way to cultivate detachment is through generosity. Jesus’ instruction to “give to the poor” highlights the importance of charity. By giving to those in need, we not only help others but also free ourselves from the grip of materialism. Generosity transforms our relationship with wealth, making it a tool for good rather than an end in itself.
Catholics can live out this call in various ways:
Tithing: Regularly setting aside a portion of our income for the Church and charitable causes.
Almsgiving: Actively seeking opportunities to support those in need, whether through donations, volunteering, or acts of kindness.
Simplifying: Choosing to live more simply, reducing unnecessary expenses and consumption, and using the savings to help others.
Embracing a Vocation of Service
Jesus’ call to “come, follow me” is an invitation to a life of discipleship and service. For some, this may mean a literal calling to religious life, where they embrace poverty, chastity, and obedience. For others, it means integrating these principles into their daily lives, regardless of their vocation.
Living a life of service involves putting others’ needs before our own, following Christ’s example of humility and self-sacrifice.
This can be practiced in numerous ways:
Family Life: Serving our families with love and selflessness, making sacrifices for their wellbeing.
Work: Approaching our professional lives with integrity, treating colleagues with respect, and using our talents for the common good.
Community Engagement: Actively participating in parish activities, community service, and outreach programmes.
Trusting in God’s Providence
A significant barrier to living out this command is fear—fear of losing security, comfort, and control. Jesus’ instruction challenges us to place our trust entirely in God’s providence. This trust is rooted in the belief that God knows our needs and will provide for us.
Building this trust requires cultivating a deep prayer life and a personal relationship with God. By spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and participating in the sacraments, we grow in our faith and confidence in God’s care for us. This spiritual foundation gives us the courage to let go of our attachments and to follow Christ more fully.
Learning from the Saints
The lives of the saints provide powerful examples of how to live out this command. Saints like Francis of Assisi, who renounced his wealth to live in poverty and serve the poor, and Mother Teresa, who dedicated her life to caring for the destitute, exemplify radical detachment and service.
Studying the lives of the saints can inspire and guide us. Their experiences show us that it is possible to live out Jesus’ command, and they offer practical examples of how to do so in different contexts and circumstances.
Small Steps Towards Radical Change
For most of us, living up to Jesus’ command will be a gradual process rather than an immediate transformation.
We can start with small, concrete steps towards greater detachment and generosity:
Assess and Reduce: Begin by assessing our possessions and reducing excess. Donate items we no longer need to those who do.
Set Goals: Set specific goals for charitable giving and volunteering, and track our progress.
Spiritual Growth: Commit to regular prayer, Scripture study, and participation in the sacraments to strengthen our trust in God and our resolve to follow Christ.
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Jesus’ command to the rich young man is a radical call to discipleship that challenges us to examine our relationship with material wealth and our commitment to follow Him.
For Catholics, living up to this command means embracing a life of detachment, generosity, service, and trust in God’s providence.
While the journey may be challenging, it is also deeply rewarding. By taking small steps towards greater detachment and generosity, we grow closer to God and open ourselves to the true treasure that awaits us in heaven. Inspired by the saints and supported by our faith community, we can strive to live out this command with courage and joy, confident in God’s love and provision.