Dear people of God, both our readings today have one common thread: the struggle of the human heart to remain faithful to God.
In the first reading from Judges, we see the people of Israel turning away from the Lord again and again. When things got hard, they cried to Him, and God, in His mercy, sent judges to rescue them. But as soon as the judge died, they returned to their old ways, serving other gods and forgetting the One who had saved them. Their story is a mirror of some of us— how often we run to God when we are in trouble, but once things are better, we slowly drift back into our comfort and distractions.
In the Gospel, a young man approaches Jesus sincerely. He has kept the commandments, he has lived a good life, but he asks: “What more must I do to be perfect?” Jesus invites him to go deeper: “Sell what you have, give to the poor, and follow me.” But unlike the people in Judges who were trapped by foreign gods, this young man is trapped by his wealth. He walks away sad because his possessions have become his idol. Seeking the perfect one (God) demands sacrifices are you ready to do that?
The lesson in both readings is clear: God asks for more than partial obedience. He does not just want us to keep rules when it suits us or to call on Him only when life gets hard. He desires our whole heart. But very often, we allow other “gods” — money, pride, fear, comfort, grudges — to take His place. The good news is that God never gives up on us. Just as He raised judges to save Israel, so too He sent us His Son, Jesus Christ, who calls us each day to leave behind whatever binds us and to follow Him with freedom and love.
Let us then ask ourselves today: What is my “Baal”? What is the possession or attachment that makes me walk away sad from Jesus? And let us pray for the courage to let go, to trust Him fully, and to follow Him with undivided hearts.
PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL
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