St. Stephen of Hungary 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Judges 2:11-19

The Israelites treated Yahweh badly

For they served the Baals instead. They abandoned Yahweh, the God of their ancestors who had brought them out of Egypt, and served other gods, the gods of the neighboring peoples. They bowed before those gods and offended Yahweh.

When Yahweh saw that they had abandoned him to serve Baal and Ashtaroth, he became angry with his peole and gave them into the hands of plunderers who left them in misery.

He himself sold them to their enemies who completely surrounded the Israelites, so that these Israelites could no longer withstand them. Whenever they felt strong for an offensive, Yahweh would turn against them and send evil upon them, as he had warned them and sworn to do.

And this caused much distress and anguish for the Israelites. Yahweh raised up “judges”(or liberators)who saved the Israelites from their exploiters. But neither did they obey those “judges” for they still prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them.

They soon left the way of their fathers who obeyed the commandments of Yahweh; they did not follow the way of their fathers. When Yahweh made a judge appear among his people, Yahweh was with him and saved them from their enemies.

That lasted as long as the judge lived, for Yahweh was moved to pity by the lament of his people who were oppressed and persecuted. But when the judge died, they again became worse than their ancestors – worshiping and serving other gods. They whould not renounce their pagan practices and stubborn ways.

 

Ps 106:34-35, 36-37, 39-40, 43ab & 44

Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Matthew 19:16-22

It was then that a young man approached him and asked, “Master, what good work must I do to receive eternal life?”   Jesus answered, “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Only one is Good. If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments.”   

The young man said, “Which commandments?” Jesus replied, “Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness,  honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

 The young man said to him, “I have kept all these commandments, what is still lacking?”   Jesus answered, “If you wish to be perfect, go and sell all that you possess and give the money to the poor and you will become the owner of a treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me.”

 On hearing this answer, the young man went away sad for he was a man of great wealth.

 

Gospel Reflection：

There are some of us who are already advanced in our following of the lord. We are obedient and faithful. However, one thing is lacking. We have not yet made the leap of giving   our life all for God, that is, for him to mold and shape according to his will.

This takes a lot of courage. For to be God's own is to be broken and remade again in His image and likeness. This needs not only an obedient and faithful heart. It also needs tremendous courage. Thus the young man in today's Gospel is already assured of God's friendship.

He lives a life of holiness in obedience to God's commands. Thus Jesus invites him to a higher reality of life. He is invited to become perfect in poverty, chastity and obedience to God's will. Apparently the young man is not yet ready to comply on that level. He turned away sad knowing that there is a doorway that God opened for him but he refused to enter.