A Call to Radical Discipleship

March 03, 2025 Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Sirach 17:20-29; Mark 10:17-27

In Mark 10:17-27, we meet a man who sincerely desires eternal life. He isn’t trying to test Jesus; he genuinely wants to know what more he can do. When Jesus lists the commandments, the man responds that he has kept all of them since his youth. Mark tells us that Jesus looked at him with love, meaning Jesus believed him. If the man had been dishonest, Jesus would have corrected him.

This man had lived a good and sincere life. He followed all that his faith required. Many of us can relate—we try our best to do what is right, though we sometimes fall. God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but He wants us to admit our faults, seek forgiveness, and keep trying. This is how we prepare our hearts for the grace that only He can give.

But then comes the hard part. Jesus invites the man to something greater: “Sell everything you have and follow me.” Sadly, the man walks away. Although he had given so much to God, he wasn’t ready to give everything. His wealth meant more to him than he realized.

This moment challenges all of us. We may follow God closely, but eventually, He may ask us to surrender something we find difficult to give up—comfort, a habit, or a dream. If we hold back, our spiritual growth can stall.

Jesus calls us to trust Him fully. If we let go of what holds us back, He promises something greater than we could ever imagine: a life filled with His love and purpose.

Call to Action for Catholic Living: Reflect on the moments when you often fail God. From today onwards, make a firm resolution to remain faithful in those moments.