August 18, 2025 // Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Matthew 19:16-22
Reflect on the Word //
Several months before my husband and I became engaged, I was sitting at a dinner table with a group of friends and one of them was wearing a new sparkly ring. She had just recently gotten engaged herself and she was one of the first people I knew who had, so I had all sorts of questions for her. Did she know this was coming? Did her boyfriend ask for her father's blessing? How did he know what ring size she was? I wanted to hear it all—especially the logistics and details. I was so curious—and, of course, while I was listening, I was thinking about my boyfriend and myself.
This memory comes to mind today as I envision this young man who approached Jesus with great curiosity. One question and one answer didn't satisfy him. He asked for more—more details, more logistics. Perhaps he thought that's where he would find relief—in a certainty that he hoped he would reach in this discussion. But after his final question—which again, didn't satisfy—he walked away sadly.
Sometimes we might find ourselves asking questions to truly understand and uncover what God wants to share with us. Other times, I wonder: Are we asking questions only with the hope that the answer will be exactly what we want it to be, like this young man who was ultimately disappointed?
I'm grateful that Jesus welcomes our questions nonetheless. To be seeking Him and speaking to Him is always a good thing. And though we may not find the relief or certainty we hope for through our questions, we can keep coming back to the conversation—just to find Him.
He has shared His Word so that we can spend time with it every day, as He repeats to us what He said to this curious young man: "Come, follow me" (Matthew 19:21). And maybe, the young man found in himself what he needed in order to do what the Lord asked and did just that.
Relate to the Lord // What question(s) do you have for the Lord? Bring them to Him—and then follow Him.
Annie Deddens is a writer and producer. She runs a prayer ministry with her husband, called Pray More Novenas. She has a heart for the sick & suffering, and she writes about living with greater faith (hope & love, too) in this imperfect world as a Catholic wife on her blog, Catholic Wife, Catholic Life. Find out more about her here.
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