Uselessness of Good Deed

Today’s Gospel Text: 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? One there is 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. Matt 19:16-22

Reflection: That man in the gospel was much more perfect than the many of who are still worse off. He tells Jesus that he has observed the good commandments of the giver of all good: God himself.

If that man, even after keeping all the commandments perfectly, felt that he lacked something that could prevent his entering into life eternal, then what would happen to the many who falter in every bit of the commandment or who break even one of them?

In the light of the young man’s experience of life and that too in the presence of Jesus, who scripture reveals will be the ultimate to judge the living and the dead, the above question becomes a serious issue for reflection.

What chances do those who follow their conscience or still follow a religion of justification by the law stand? What chances do those who are looked upon as good people, because of their honesty and sincerity, stand in order to enter into eternal life? 

What chances can those who sincerely think that they can and will enter eternal life, purely on the merits of their good works, stand?

As for me, though the young man was sincere in every detail and spoke truthfully, in keeping with his self judgment, he was still not following the commandments perfectly as it was required. Was he still being dishonest? In keeping with his subjective conscience he was not dishonest either; that’s the limitation of our conscience and its knowing!

But fortunately for that man, somewhere in his heart he still felt convicted that he lacked something. That something was his imperfect love of God, the breaking of the first and primary commandment.

Most of us fail in keeping this commandment of loving God and thus even falter and walk imperfectly in the practice of the other commandments too.

Prayer: Lord, may my conscience be ever alive to the promptings of your Holy Spirit and that I may love you above all things.  

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