Catholic understanding of one of the sayings of Jesus

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What is the Catholic understanding to the statement Christ gave to the young man in Mathew, that unless he sold all his goods and gave his money to the poor and followed Christ he would not be perfect.
 
Tom of Assisi:
What is the Catholic understanding to the statement Christ gave to the young man in Mathew, that unless he sold all his goods and gave his money to the poor and followed Christ he would not be perfect.
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This verse troubled me a lot when I was a Mormon. Now, as a Catholic it makes much more sense. I think Christ is saying that ideally, we will serve him completely by taking vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as a Priest or Religious. The rest of us who cannot take such vows of poverty are at a spriritual disadvantage, to be sure. But, in no way is he saying we cannot enter heaven unless we give all our money and possessions away.
 
The way I understand it is that one is required to give up anything that gets in the way of them and God. Riches almost always get in the way, especially considering the Church’s teaching that we must have a “preferential option for the poor.” Riches must be used for the service of the Lord, just as anything else.
 
Jesus said
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, 16 go, sell what you have and give to (the) poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
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I have heard it suggested that the emphasis in the first phrase was on you. As proved in the next verse, he was overly attached to his riches and had to break that bond. The advice was specific to the particular situation. :twocents:
 
Christ, who knows our hearts, minds and intentions, knows what inordinate attachments, obstacles we have to following him more fully/completely in discipleship. Specifically the young rich man’s possessions were an obstacle to fully giving himself over to Jesus to become His follower. Jesus knew that money which can access wordly possessions and comforts, is a poignant competitor for our affections (Matthew 6:24). This saying of Jesus one of many of His sayings regarding the cost of discipleship, being His follower (ex., Luke 14:25-33).
 
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