A LIFE OF FULFILMENT, LOVE AND JOY

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20 Aug 2018 Mon
Sharing notes of key messages from Daily Gospel Reflections by the Most Rev Archbishop of Singapore William Goh





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Matthew 19:16–22
16 And behold, one came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is one alone who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which?” And Jesus said, “You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have observed; what do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.




Key messages from the archbishop

Like the rich man who came to Jesus seeking eternal life, many of us too are unsatisfied with our lives.

What am I lacking?
Do I feel I am not doing enough and need to do more?
What is the motivation I have for doing what I do?
Do I lack compassion, understanding, and forgiveness?
Do I care for my neighbours?
Do I give and serve the poor and humanity?
Do I give because of guilt, and not because I am motivated by charity?
Do I extend care for others because of the need to feel good myself?
Am I making use of the poor for my own recognition?
Do I truly love my neighbour arising from humanitarian love?
Am I lacking something?

There will alway be a lacking in our lives.  And that is God.  
  • To be perfect is to find completion in God alone.  
  • It is only when God is with us and in us, that we can find fulfillment in life.  
  • Without God, no matter what we do, life will not be complete.  
  • Putting God as the ultimate in our lives is the key to perfection of life.  
  • To put God as the focus of our lives does not mean always that we are to give away everything to the poor.  However, the motive in all that we do must be correct.  It must be done with the love of God in mind.  

When we love God above all things, 
  • then we will know how and what we should do with ourselves, our resources and our time.  Everything we have is meant for His service and for the love of neighbour.  
  • then we will be able to see in perspective the things of this world.  We will realise that these are passing things and that they are not the ends themselves but the means through which we share in the life and love of God through service of our fellowmen.  

We must love Him above all things.  By so doing, 
  • we will find the grace to be detached from the world
  • we will be available for the service of God.  
  • we can share in the eternal life of God, a life of fulfilment, of love and joy.





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