“My illness helped me to see that what was missing in me….
I acquired more wealth, power, and prestige than most…

… But you can acquire all you want and still feel empty!

>> What power wouldn’t I trade for a li’l more time with my family? 

>> What price wouldn’t I pay for being with friends?

It took a deadly illness to put me eye to eye with that truth, but it is a truth that the country, caught up in its ruthless ambitions and moral decay, can learn on my dime.

…the future leaders must speak to this spiritual vacuum at the heart of American society, this tumour of the soul”

These are words from an article in the LIFE magazine….written by Lee Atwater, a former American Political Consultant…

(This person was mainly responsible for the election of George Bush as the American President. He was afflicted by a massive Brain Tumour Death at the age of 40!)

These words, of a man who acquired name & fame & wealth at a very young age but suffered a tragic death, and came to a late realization…written back in the 90’s

… is a greater and a naked reality in our 21st century: There is a great spiritual vacuum at the heart of our society… a tumour of the soul!
>> There are many who have plenty of wealth…

… but extremely poor in peace of mind
>> There are many who have honour and fame…

… but strangely lost in loneliness and despair
>> There are many who have cashed in popularity and glam and glitz…

… but end up in depression and gloom
>> There are many who have built bungalows and estates…

… but sadly abandoned in nursing animosity at home

Our world is habitually sick…

>> Our society is often sad deep within…

>> Our families are frequently cracked & broken!

The Gospel of the Day, brings on stage, one Person…

… who claimed he had everything right

… who claimed he did everything right

>> And yet….yet…”he lacked something”! 
A vacuum filled his soul!!

The Rich Young Man in today’s Gospel passage apparently looks as an Ideal Person…

… and some of us can even identify the pattern of our lives with his.
>> He seeks for Eternal Life…

… We too seek the spiritual treasures and religious riches
>> He addresses Jesus as the Master… 

… We too acknowledge the supremacy and authority of God in our lives…
>> He knows the laws…

… We too know the basics of our teachings and are informed of the doctrines
>> He practices the commandments… 

… We too do our bit in keeping the rules and regulation of religion

Despite all these aspects, he still lacked something….. 

>> DESPITE ALL THESE ASPECTS, ARE WE TOO LACKING SOMETHING?

To hear that statement was hard for that man…

… and it is hard for us too, to hear and digest that – “You are lacking something!”

>> It’s a statement which can belittle people!

>> It’s like telling a Great Artist…

… your art is superb, but you still lack the quality in painting the nuances
>> It’s like telling a Great Speaker…

… your talks are classic, but you still lack the trait of modulation of tones
>> It’s like telling a Great singer…

… your voice is amazing, but you still lack the punch in singing the high notes
>> It’s like telling a Great Writer…

… your writings are nice, but you still lack the feature of translating your thoughts

After doing and achieving many things, to hear that “You are lacking something” is hurting….

>> But that was the fact…. that was the Reality and the Reason, for the Vacuum and the Void that was experienced!

The Rich Young Man thought he had gained everything… He assumed he did everything right…

>> But he Still lacked something… What was that? 

He lacked the grace to have heaven as his greatest treasure and fortune…

>> He lacked the control to let go off money and mammon as the controlling factor of his life…

>> He lacked the charity to share his resources and his possessions to the needy and the wanted…

>> He lacked the generosity to set free his mind from being dominated by the cares and burdens of this world…

The Man had gained much in life… but he still lacked what was most important: A great vacuum had engulfed his soul….a great void had overpowered his life!

>> Is my life in resemblance with this person, who thought he had everything right….

… yet lacking the Basics?
>> Is my life similar to this person, who considered he was on the right track…

… but lacked the Right Direction?

The Lord invites us too, as He invited the Rich Young Man: 

>> “Go, sell what you have…give to the poor and follow Me“
>> “Give up the feeling that money and worldly riches can rule your life…

… rather acquire spiritual treasures”
>> “Give up the notion that worldly success can satisfy you… 

… rather feed your lives with divine riches”

Let us fill the vacuum within us, with the Power and Grace of the Lord… with the Might of the Holy Spirit!

>> Our world needs it…our generation requires us… our families and communities call for it!

God Bless! Live Jesus!