A reflection on Matthew 19:16–22, where a rich young man went away sad because he could not let go, while true joy is found in following Christ. (18-8-25)
Praise be to Jesus Christ
There is a wonderful story about a king who once saw a poor family in a small hut. Even though the family had only very little, everyone in the family was happy. They were laughing, singing, and eating together with joy. The king was puzzled. How can people with so little be so happy? He called his minister and asked the secret. The minister smiled and said, “It is because they are not members of the 99 Club.”
The king was curious. The minister asked him to place a bag of ninety-nine silver coins outside their house. The next day morning, as the poor man was about to go to work kissing his wife, surprisingly they found the coins. They were very happy and started counting them, but when they realised that it was ninety-nine, not a hundred, they became sad. They began to dream of making it a hundred. The man started working longer hours, he stopped buying small things for the family, arguments began in the house, and joy disappeared. When the king returned three months later, the laughter was gone. The minister then said, “Now they are members of the 99 Club. They lost peace because they started living for that one coin more.”
The Holy Gospel today presents a rich young man who asks Jesus, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” (Mt 19:16). However, when Jesus asked him to give up his possessions, the Gospel says, “he went away grieving, for he had many possessions” (Mt 19:22). Yes, this grief, that sadness, is the heart of the story of today’s gospel. The rich young man wanted eternal life; however, he was not ready to pay for it.
This sadness is not only in the pages of the Gospel. We see it repeated in history. Marilyn Monroe, a famous Hollywood actress, was admired by the world for her beauty, talent, fame, and huge wealth. Nevertheless, she was not happy with all she had and lived a life of loneliness and emptiness. In 1962, at a very young age of 36 she chose death by taking overdose of sleeping pills. When we look from outside she had everything, but in reality she was empty and could not find happiness in anything that she possessed. Her life is a mirror of the young man in today’s Gospel. All the riches in the world cannot fill a restless heart that does not find peace in God.
The Bible gives us both warnings and examples. Lot’s wife looked back at her possessions and became a pillar of salt (Gen 19:26). Abraham let go and trusted in God, and his life became a blessing (Gen 12:1-3). In Christian history, St. Anthony of the Desert heard this very Gospel read in church. When he heard Jesus’ words, “If you wish to be perfect, go sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, then come, follow me” (Mt 19:21), he felt Christ was speaking to him directly. He gave away everything and went into the desert. The world thought he had lost all, but he found deep joy and became the father of monks and a light for the whole Church.
The Gospel also gives us a striking comparison. The rich young man went away sad because he was very rich, but Zacchaeus, the tax collector, though he also was rich and young, enjoyed happiness, he came down from his desire to be richer and welcomed Jesus with joy, and said, “Look, Lord, I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times as much” (Lk 19:8). His house was filled with happiness because he opened his heart. One clung and was sad, the other released and found joy.
This Gospel challenges all of us in a very practical way. Happiness is not found in keeping but in sharing. Families discover peace not when they cling to more, but when they open their hands to one another and to the poor. Priests and religious too must be careful not to fall into the 99 Club by seeking comforts, positions, or recognition. Our true treasure is Christ Himself. Our joy grows when we live with simplicity and generosity. Whether in the home, the parish, or the convent, only a free heart can be a joyful heart.
Lord help me find the real wealth in you. Amen
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God Bless…
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Jesus help me also
നശ്യരമായ. ഈ ലോക സുഖങ്ങൾക്കപ്പുറം…. യേശുവിന്റെ കൂടെ ഉള്ള യാത്ര എത്ര സുന്ദരം…എന്ന ആത്മീയ ഉൾ കാഴ്ച യിലേക്.. നയിക്കുന്ന.. ഹൃദയ സ്പർശിയായ…. സന്ദേശം….
Truly enlightened to read your reflection. A big salute to the entire team of ‘The Search’. May your inspiring thoughts set the hearts of many more on fire.