After the blessing of the children, Jesus left that place and was setting out again on the road when a young man came and knelt before Him, saying: Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life. Jesus looked at the young man with great hope and joy. The disciples stopped to observe this roadside encounter. The scene in today's Gospel is one of special beauty. May be the young man had observed the kindness of Jesus with the children. May be he carried in his heart a longing to give himself, to love more. . . perhaps he was unhappy about his life. So when Jesus tells him to keep the commandments, the young man says he has obeyed them and asks: "What do I still lack?" Does not this question occur many times in our lives because we are missing something?

Jesus was so attentive that He was moved and looked upon the young man and loved him. He invited him to leave behind all of his possessions and follow Him. But the young man was not generous. He did not expect this answer from Jesus.

On hearing the words of Jesus the young man "went away sorrowful for he had great possessions". What a disaster! What a missed opportunity! When it comes to such a meeting with Jesus, one ends up by either following Him or getting lost. Each encounter is crucial. Jesus never leaves anyone indifferent. The choice is one way or the other.