“If anyone comes to me without turning his back”
“How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you, this goodness you lavish on all who hope in you.”[1] [i] Who does not what to have goodness lavished on them? We want what is good, so much so that sometimes we forget that God is the source of goodness. Jesus says to the rich young ruler, “There is only One who is good.”[2] [ii] In the Ten Commandments, the first three commandments deal with love of God (Have no other God, do not take God’s name in vain and keep holy the Sabbath). The last seven commandments deal with love of neighbor (Honor your mother and father, Do not kill, etc.). When Jesus tells the rich young ruler to obey the commandments, the rich young ruler says, “Which ones?” Jesus begins with the fifth commandment and makes no mention of the first through third commandment. Why? The rich young ruler has fulfilled 4-10, he has loved his neighbor, but he has failed at loving God. He knows how to do “good” yet he does not know the One who is “good”.[1][i]Responsory in the Link to Liturgy packet
[2][ii] Matthew 19:17 (The Rich Young Ruler)
[3][iii] Catechism of the Catholic Church; Glossary
[4][iv] Venerable Pope John Paul II the Great; Veritatis Splendor, 11.1
[5][v] Question 126; Baltimore Catechism No. 3
[6][vi] Gospel Reading in this Link to Liturgy
[7][vii] Catholiconline.com
[8][viii] Genesis 1:4