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     This particular gospel story appears in all three of the synoptic gospels which lends credence to the opinion that it was considered important enough in the early Christian community to be included in any life of Jesus.  It is part of my own personal and pastoral experience!  When I was an undergraduate student at Tulane University (oh so many years ago 1960-64), I remember wondering why some of the students who lived in the dormitory with me and who had far more money than I ever did seemed chronically unhappy and cynical.  This was one of the things that set me to thinking about religious life!  In the words of the song from the musical Sweet Charity: "There's got to be something better than this!"

     The story in the gospel is not aimed at a modern religious vocation recruitment program, although my response went along those lines.  Rather, the gospel story is aimed at all Christians.  I have simply experienced it more in my years of campus ministry.  Some students believe that the "more" which that young man seeks can be found in liturgical and devotional piety.  But that is only part of the picture.  In the Gospel According to Matthew, following Christ means taking the Sermon on the Mount very seriously, which includes what we learn from Matthew 25:31-45 (the parable of the Final Judgment).  The "more" can be found in examining one's lifestyle and determining what one really needs.  The young man was not prepared to accept what Jesus told him about his lifestyle: "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven,  Then come, follow me."  When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.  We don't know what happened later on to him, but we do know that the disciples themselves were astonished by Jesus' advice.  To have the "more," we must live with "less."  Adding piety and devotion without examining one's lifestyle and the daily ways we live will not help us find that "more."  We can all ask the same question that he did.  Are we prepared for Jesus' answer?  AMEN