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Gospel Reading for August 17, 2026 – Matthew 19: 16-22
LAW OF LOVE
A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “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.
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In the Gospel of today, Jesus clearly states that it is not enough to follow the commandments that tell us what we should not do, or what are called sins of commission—the wrongful actions that we actively commit. The LAW OF LOVE for God and neighbor also requires us to do virtuous things, or the things that we ought to do. These are what we call sins of omission—the good that we fail to do.
Remember that at the beginning of the Mass, we acknowledge our sins in the Confiteor: “. . . in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do . . .”
Like the rich young man in today’s Gospel, sins of omission are among those that many of us commit because doing good requires us to give of ourselves to others, especially to those in need. It requires great sacrifice, courage, and commitment to God to speak up against injustice, violence, and corruption that cause poverty and suffering. It requires us to share our resources. It requires us to walk the extra mile and extend a helping hand.
Perhaps it is also time for us to include in our examination of sins of omission our neglect of the environment and of all other creatures created by God. Ecological balance is essential to the survival of our planet and, therefore, to our own survival.
Lord Jesus, help us understand your laws and give us the courage and strength to live them out. Amen.
