Trying To Be Good 

Friday was the Solemnity of “All Saints”, an occasion on which we give thanks and pray for all the faithful departed who we believe to be saints and have already reached the blessedness of heaven.  As the children said in both school masses, the saints are “role-models” for us, leading us by example.

In today’s readings, there is also a striving after the good.  Moses speaks to the people and counsels them about how to achieve blessedness.  “If you fear the Lord your God…and if you keep all his laws and commandments which I lay on you, you will have a long life…”  The land of “milk and honey” that he promises ultimately turns out to be eternal life with God in heaven.

The Letter to the Hebrews also presents a high ideal of goodness, but focussed on the person of the priest.  The writer recognises that ordinary men appointed to priestly roles are “subject to weakness,” whereas Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest is “…made perfect for ever.”  In our own striving to be good, we follow the One who led the way for us.

In the Gospel reading, a scribe asks Jesus which is the first (greatest) of the commandments.  He seems to want to lead a good life, ruled by God’s law.  Jesus affirms him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”  The mistake we often make is trying to be good all on our own.  The only way we can reach the blessedness we are called to is to pray to, depend on and follow God each and every day.  

God bless, Fr Kevin.