Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Intention: That God’s peace and wisdom will touch the hearts of all whose lives are ruled by misunderstanding, anger, or fear.
Today’s Gospel | Matthew 19:16-22
A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “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.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
From the Tenth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Consider that the purpose of the coming of the Son of God into this world was to destroy sin. This must also be the main purpose of the establishment of the Christian Schools and, therefore, the first object of your zeal. It must lead you to allow nothing in the children under your guidance that could displease God. If you observe in them something that offends God, you must immediately do all that you are able to remedy the problem.
Prayer
Eternal Father, each day we work hard to build good lives. Sometimes, however, possessions and status begin to look less like means and more like ends. Help us to know the difference between the things that are only part of life and the things that are the meaning of life. May we see that the real riches of the world are truth and freedom, peace and justice, compassion and love. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.