Ecclesiasticus 17:24-29 / Mark 10:17-27
In hot and humid Singapore, going into an air-con place is truly something to look forward to.
So whether it is at home, or at the workplace or for dining or for leisure, a cool comfortable place with air-con would be nice to be in.
But with the air-con, setting a temperature to please everyone would be challenging.
At any temperature setting, some will find it too cold, others will find it too stuffy.
Such can be also said about love.
Some may find the expression of love from another person a heart-warming and even exhilarating experience.
Others may find it rather too expressive and too close for comfort.
In the gospel, when Jesus looked steadily at that wealthy man, that man could have felt uneasy and uncomfortable.
That wealthy man was focused on doing what the commandments of the Lord had stated.
But when it comes to loving God and others, he may have felt uncomfortable and unfamiliar.
Because to do something, there can be a measurement and a checklist.
But to be loving, it would mean that one has be vulnerable and to let go.
Jesus looked at the wealthy man with love, but that man could not let go and receive love.
Jesus is also looking at us with love. May we respond with love and not go away sad.