Dear Parishioners,
Years ago, a young, door-to-door book salesman was assigned a rural area. One day he came upon a farmer seated in a rocking chair on his front porch. The young man went up to the farmer enthusiastically and said, "Sir, I have a book here that will tell you how to farm ten times better than you are doing now."
The farmer didn't bother to look up. He simply kept on rocking. Finally, he glanced up at the young salesman and said, "Young man, I don't need your book. I already know how to farm ten times better than I'm doing right now."
This story is a good example of what Jesus is talking about in today's Gospel. The farmer was capable of farming better, but he lacked the commitment to do so. The rich man was also capable of doing more than just keeping the commandments, but he too lacked the commitment to do so.
Today's Gospel makes it clear that there is more to our faith than just keeping the commandments. There's an old adage that says, "If we walk toward God with one step, He'll run toward us ten steps."
Our faith teaches us to take the first step towards God. We can do this by reaching out to help the other person. We can help the person in need, even if it's only in some small way. Once we take the first step, God will come running towards us ten steps. He will support us and show us the way from there.
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Dominick