It does not happen magically - We do not just “float” into heaven

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Matthew a young man approaches Jesus and asks him how does a person get to heaven….This young man was “ticking all the boxes” - He followed the Ten Commandments and religious practices - But still he felt he had to ask Jesus how one is to enter into eternal life….The very idea that he had to ask should tell us something was lacking deep within this young man…Even though he did everything that was required of him - He knew - “Something” was lacking….Now Jesus, who knows everything, knew what was lacking in this man - His love of money - So he instructed him to give away his money to the poor….And we are told….”When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions”…The man went away sad because he was not willing to give up is material comfort in order to follow God…..This story has so much to teach us today - What are the things that we put before our relationship with God?….We all know the First Commandment - To love God above all things….Many people say they prescribe to that command - But do they?….This is what Jesus was trying to teach the young man…Remember, this young man did “everything right” - Yet something was lacking - And Jesus pointed that “something” out - And the young man would not let it go….As Catholics we must search our hearts and objectively be honest with ourself….If there is anything that comes in the way of us following the Lord, we should work tirelessly on “letting it go”….That could be a sinful relationship - That could be an addiction - That could be love of social status and money….There are many “idols” we create that keep us from God….This story also teaches us that even if we appear to be doing everything right - “Ticking” all the Catholic boxes - Our hearts can still be far from God….And its our heart that Jesus is concerned with…..And because God loves us - He will show us the “things” we place before him - And when God shows us the obstacles we place before him - As he did with this young man in the story today from the Gospel - Its then for us to work on removing the obstacle….So we too do not “go away sad” as the young man did.

“All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?”

How do we grow close to God?….First and foremost we need grace - And we can not self manufacture grace…So how do we get this grace?….By living Sacramentally….Sounds easy right?….What impedes grace? - The answer - Sin…..This is why when a Catholic receives the Blessed Sacrament at Mass, they must be free of all mortal sin…That is done by going to Confession….The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that a Catholic must make a Sacramental Confession at least once a year - (That is the bare minimum standard)…..Because if you receive the Blessed Sacrament in the state of mortal sin - Not only is that a sin - But because of that obstacle (the mortal sin) between the person and God - Grace will not flow…..This is why the saints (Pope John II; Fulton Sheen & Padre Pio) recommend going to Confession once a month….By doing this - We open up the channels of grace - And when we receive the Blessed Sacrament, the Eucharist fills our soul with life giving grace, which we need in order to live as God and the Church requires of us…..This is how we grow close to God…..Frequent Confession and reception of the Blessed Sacrament……The lines at Church should be equally as long for the Confessional as they are to receive the Eucharist…There was a time when Confession was available before every Mass…Not just for one hour on Saturday….How can we grow in virtue as Catholics, be held accountable and receive the necessary grace to overcome our sins if we are not going to Confession regularly?

“Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven”

Today we are told a story about a young man who “did everything right” - At least it appeared so - But something was lacking…If we are all honest with ourself - Each of us is “lacking something”…This is why we must pray daily and live a Sacramental life - So we can grow closer and closer to God with each passing day….Going to Confession helps us to do that….Honest and objective self reflection is necessary and when we discover “the things” about ourself, which we do not like and impedes our relationship with God - We must bring them to Confession and work on overcoming them….”Rome was not built in a day” - Meaning growing closer to God takes time…We must cooperate with God in order for our relationship with him to grow strong…It does not happen magically - We do not just “float” into heaven…..JMJ