"With God all things are possible"

"With God all things are possible."


A rich man asked Jesus what he must do to share in everlasting life. Jesus answered him: "You know the commandments:

'you shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother.'"

The man then said: "Teacher, I have observed all these since my childhood." And then Jesus replied: "There is one thing more you must do ... sell what you have, give to the poor ... after that, come and follow me."


Reflecting on this gospel passage in the context of discerning God's will is important for understanding the vocation to follow Jesus. St. Francis de Sales, who wrote the classic Introduction to the Devout Life, mentions in his writings that there are four options in life that need much prayer and discernment. The first and most important of these four, is choosing one's vocation in life. The rest are: when choosing to do something very costly, when moving on to a new house and neighborhood, and when choosing the friends you are called to have. The rich man in the gospel was given the option to choose something very important. He can follow Jesus where Jesus is and going, or he can obey God's commandments where he already is. Where Jesus is, is the direction to perfect charity; and where the man is, is the opportunity to sanctify the very realities wherein he can steward his riches responsibly and justly.


The man in the gospel was invited to a life of charity. And a charity that is truly radical. This is the vocation of the clergy and the religious. But St. Francis de Sales teaches that charity can be practiced in all walks of life: as soldiers, craftsmen, statesmen, and servants; as widows, or married, or unmarried. It is a very priceless privilege and gift to be called to following Christ in the priesthood, but there are situations and environments in which lay people can be more effective witnesses - especially in the very secular realities of marriage and work, a profession or business. Perfect charity is indeed a great ideal, but to practice charity in the midst of the world of family and work, as the Second Vatican teaches, is also a following of Jesus. The life of the lay faithful is also a vocation. The canonization of many lay saints during the pontificate of St. John Paul II attests to the fact that in truth, charity can be practiced in all states of life. And even in the lay state of life, God can also make all things possible.