"What must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Today we can see a great contrast between the first reading and the gospel. In 1 Peter 1:3-9, the writer tells us with great enthusiasm that by raising Jesus from the dead, the Father has given us a new birth. This is a cause of great joy says Peter and he emphasises his message by saying a second time, ''Even though you do not see Jesus, you love him and are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described.'' In the gospel (Mark 10:17-27) we hear the story of a young man who approaches Jesus. He is searching for the true meaning of life. ''What must I do to inherit eternal life?'' He asks Jesus who replies that he must obey all the commandments. ''I have kept them all my life,'' he tells Jesus. Let us imagine that Jesus is talking to each one of us when he looks at the man with love and challenges him to give away his wealth and follow Jesus. But the man could not understand how this would bring him great joy and so he turns his back on Jesus and goes away in sadness. Dear Lord, thank you for inviting me to follow you and live in the joy of your Kingdom. Help me to put aside my attachment to material things which reduce me to being your part time disciple. Fill me with the joy of allowing you to come into my life full time.