The essence of the Christian life is total abandonment to God's will. The first and greatest commandment is to love God with all our hearts, all our souls, all our strength, and all our minds (Lk 10:27).

For each person, a certain act is the symbol of total abandonment to God. The young man in today's gospel reading would have given all to God if he had sold his possessions (Mt 19:21). Ezekiel gave all to the Lord by prophesying, even using the circumstances of his wife's death to prophesy (Ez 24:15ff). Jewish Christians of the early Church gave God their all when they accepted Gentiles into their Christian community. Gentiles gave their all to God by changing their life-style and observing certain Jewish practices (Acts 15:20). The older brother of the prodigal son could have given everything to the Lord by forgiving his brother (Lk 15:28ff). Matthew gave his all by leaving his secular job (Mt 9:9). Barnabas gave his all by selling his property and giving the money to the Church (Acts 4:37). Ananias and Sapphira failed to give their all in similar circumstances (Acts 5:1ff). Mary gave her all by changing her plans and being the mother of God (Lk 1:34ff). Joseph gave his all by not divorcing Mary (Mt 1:19ff).

How does the Lord want to symbolize your total abandonment to Him? "Do whatever He tells you" (Jn 2:5).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert J. Buschmiller, February 17, 1998

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 25, 1998