The Loving Gaze That Calls Us Beyond
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
Mark 10:17-22
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Grace Prayed For
My theme for prayer this the fact the “Jesus Calls Me Beyond Myself” I pray for the grace to respond to this call with generosity. How does the following Scripture passage help me take this message into my heart, to grow in intimacy with my Trinitarian God and to be able to take this message out into the world into each and every encounter I have.
Reflection
It all begins with a look. Before Jesus says a word of challenge, before He issues the life-altering invitation, He first looks at this earnest young man and loves him. This is where our own call beyond ourselves begins—not in a demand, but in the tender, personal, and loving gaze of God. We, like this man, often come to Jesus with our list of accomplishments. We’ve followed the rules, we’ve tried to be good, we’ve checked all the boxes. And Jesus sees our efforts, He sees our goodness, and He loves us for it.
But His love doesn’t leave us where we are. Because He loves us, He desires more for us. He invites us into the very life of the Trinity, a life defined by a constant, generous, self-emptying love. The Father gives all to the Son, the Son gives all back to the Father, and the Holy Spirit is the love that pours forth between them. Jesus’ invitation to “Go, sell… give… come, follow me” is a call to enter into that same divine dance. He is asking, “Will you let go of the treasures you can hold in your hand for the treasure of holding My hand? Will you release your grip on your own security to find your security in Me alone?”
The man’s sadness is so relatable. The call beyond ourselves often feels like a loss. He wasn’t being punished; he was being invited to a greater freedom, but the cost felt too high. His possessions weren’t just things; they were his identity, his comfort, his plan for the future. What are the “possessions” in my life that I cling to? Is it my need for control, my reputation, my carefully constructed schedule, or my attachment to comfort?
To be called “beyond myself” is to be called beyond my own small kingdom and into the expansive Kingdom of God. It is in the letting go, the giving away, and the turning toward Him that we find the space to be filled with the Father’s love and guided by the Spirit. It is only when our hands are empty of our own attachments that we are free to receive the true treasure He promises and to share that divine love in every encounter.
Announcing Jesus in Our Lives
Living the Mission: Daily Evangelization
Fulfilling our Baptismal mission to partner with Jesus is less about grand gestures and more about the posture of our hearts in daily life. Here are a few ways to evangelize through your actions:
Be an Agent of Restoration. Partnering with Jesus to restore creation starts small. Speak a word of encouragement to someone who is down. Pick up a piece of trash. Forgive a small slight instead of holding a grudge. Each act of kindness, mercy, and care is a small but real participation in God’s work of making all things new.
Evangelize with Your Gaze. Before you interact with a family member, a coworker, or a cashier, consciously ask Jesus to let you see them as He does. Let your gaze be one of love and recognition of their dignity. This silent witness can change the entire dynamic of an encounter.
Practice Generous Interruption. The man was called to give away his wealth. We can give away our time and attention. Put your phone down when someone is talking. Pause your task to truly listen to a friend. Choosing a person over your own productivity proclaims that people are the real treasure.
Share Your “Why.” Instead of keeping your faith private, look for natural opportunities to share how Jesus impacts your life. When someone asks how you’re doing, a simple, “I’m feeling so blessed today,” or “Things are tough, but I’m leaning on my faith,” can be a powerful seed of the Gospel. It’s not about preaching, but about personally testifying to the love you’ve received.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post