The question of the young man in today’s Gospel is a question, I am sure, all of us have asked at one time or another: “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” Jesus gives what seems to be a simple and direct answer: “Keep the commandments.”
The young man begins to negotiate, wanting either to pare down the commandments or perhaps confused by the number of commandments, laws, and customs, seeks clarification: “Which ones.” When Jesus tells him which ones, the man somewhat self-satisfied declares: “All of these I have observed. What do I lack?” He perhaps expects a “pat on the back” and Jesus telling him that he lacks nothing. Instead Jesus challenges him to store up treasures in heaven instead of treasures on earth: “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Jesus teaches that God demands all of our “treasures”, that is that we put God’s Will before all. It does not mean that we have to sell all. God’s Will might well be that you use your possessions to support your family and the poor. It is God’s Will to save us. We cannot “gain” or “earn” eternal life. It is a gift God gives to us. We can accept or reject this gift from God. We reject this gift by not “doing good,” by not loving one another as God has loved us, by failing to show mercy, compassion, and forgiveness as God has already forgiven us. We reject God’s gift of salvation by storing up treasures on earth instead of treasure in heaven.