Giving It All (Mt 19:21) by Jeff Grabosky

18 Aug Giving It All (Mt 19:21) by Jeff Grabosky

“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.’” ~ Mt 19:21 (full readings)
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Jeff’s Reflections:  Today’s Gospel challenged a young man who lived a life that followed the commandments, but had a difficult time parting with his many possessions.  This passage applies to each of us, regardless of our financial situation.  Yes, Jesus’ words warns us that being wealthy can easily become a stumbling block to reaching Heaven, but it also calls each and every one of us to abandon any earthly attachments we have and seek first the Kingdom of God.  Do we value the opinions others have of us to the point that we don’t speak about our faith?  Do we value our free time too much that we won’t make time to be involved in some way in helping the poorest among us?  I know I have been guilty of both of these things.  However, God has given each of us certain gifts and we are called to use those gifts in a manner that demonstrates we seek the Kingdom of Heaven rather the temporary riches of this life.  Wearing apparel in public reminding people to “Remember the Unborn” or praying outside an abortion clinic are just a couple ways in which we can give back to God.  In the passage today, Jesus clearly promises treasure in Heaven for giving away what we have in this world.  Everything we have in this world, whether it is wealth, time, talent, or especially life itself, is given to us by God.  Let us today and everyday be willing to give it all back to Him.
* Jeff Grabosky, his wife Mary, and daughter Luciana live in Stephens City, VA.  Jeff is the author of Running With God Across America, which details his prayerful run across the United States in 2011.  LIFE Runners co-founder Pat Castle met Jeff along that faith journey (daily bread story).
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Faith Challenge:  Spend some time today in prayer and see if God is asking anything more of you than you are already giving.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
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Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  St. Helena
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Faith Quote:  “For it is in giving that we receive.” ~ St Francis of Assisi
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Through Christ our Lord,
Jeff
1 Cor 9:24-27