"You are lacking in one thing . . ."
Mark 10: 17-30
The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101021.cfm
Just imagine a camel trying to crouch down and force itself head first through a needle’s eye. The image is silly and weird in its own way not to mention that something is seriously wrong with that camel.
But the point of Jesus’ analogy in our Gospel
is not to make some sort of ridiculous joke but rather, in his rabbinical style
just as we have heard these last few Sunday’s, to make a point so clear that
the image drives it home to us. In this
case he speaks with a word of sadness undoubtedly to the sincere young man’s
desire to gain eternal life. “You are
lacking in one thing” Jesus says to the man who defends his upright Jewish
life of faithfulness to the commandments. That "one thing" is to let go.
Note how the Gospel passage from Mark begins:
“As Jesus was setting out on a journey a man ran up . . .” Mark frames this event
as our Lord begins to set out on a “journey.” As he sets out a wealthy man eagerly
approaches Jesus with great honor, he kneels before him. The wealthy man is
eager but feels a nagging sense that although obedient to the commandments and
living an upright life, there must be something more to gain eternal reward
that he hasn’t done yet, so he awaits Jesus’ response. You can imagine the hope on his face and so does Jesus as he looks at him with love reading
his sincerity.
The man’s question elicits a response from
Jesus who then lists six of the Ten Commandments. These commandments concern our relationship
with one another and that concerning the possessions of others; the things of
this world and our human relationships which he obviously enjoys and lives them
out as the Bible intends. Jesus senses his respect for God but also sees where
the attachment lies, in the people and possessions that are such a focus of
wealth in his life. He must make a radical choice, he must let go. Yet, not
realizing this one more thing he proudly states that he has been a serious
minded Jew – “. . . all of these I have observed from my youth.” Does he see
his wealth and advantage as a kind of entitlement?
In Jesus response to the man he asks a central
question that all who want to truly be a disciple of Jesus such as ourselves,
“You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor . .
. then come, follow me.” To set out in
journey with Jesus means to pay the full price of what God asks of us – singular
and central love of God and then all others come into proper perspective. What or
who do I love more than God or where are my real riches? Obviously, the man is
deeply shaken by Jesus fuller demand to let go of what the man deems power,
influence, advantage, and most of all a blessing from God. Let go of it, give it away, then we can
unhindered follow in the way of Christ. The young man’s whole demeanor changes
to which Jesus comments on the power of possessions and misplaced wealth.in the
camel and the needle’s eye.
Clearly to follow the Lord is to lay aside
that which holds us back; that which possess us. To lose a certain security and
to seek trust and a wise choice.
Our first reading from Wisdom beautifully
illustrates this in which the author pleads for “wisdom.” To the ancient Jews
the pursuit of wisdom meant practical advice on how to manage one’s life and
possessions. That’s a worthy desire of
course but more deeply how to order one’s life in relationship with God is the
fuller question; the rest of the demand to Christian discipleship. To seek
wisdom is to desire to know what God asks of us and to willingly embrace that;
to order my life with wisdom (God) at the center.
After the dejected man leaves Jesus company
he comments about the difficulty that a well-meaning but misguided priority of
our life will lead us down the wrong path: “How hard it is to enter he kingdom
of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for
one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Assuming wealth is a sign of God’s
favor the disciples are shocked at the explanation Jesus gives. But, he assures them that if we place our
main priority on God we can have confidence on his journey: “With God all
things are possible.”
We don’t earn our salvation as if it were a
reward or an entitlement such as an inheritance. Although right behavior is of
course beneficial, but ultimately it is God’s work in our lives. It is the pursuit of the Spirit (wisdom) and
only with him will the gift of salvation be received. It is not what we do or what we have but
rather what God has done for us in his Son.
If we prioritize our lives where God is the
center, if we are willing to sacrifice for a higher good even that of our own
lives for the Gospel values ultimately then an even greater wealth awaits us in
heaven. To live with a central place for
God in our lives and to pursue the wisdom of the spirit above all other
attachments and pleasures is to order things rightly.
Our Lord’s response is reassuring about the
riches that will come to Peter and to others who have done what Jesus advises:
“. . . a hundred times more now and in this present life . . .” The what’s in
it for me question seems natural yet still a bit off the mark. Jesus essentially lays the grounds for
discipleship.
Each week we gather at Mass around the table
of the Lord. Not to be spectators but to
fully and actively participate. We come to give thanks that we receive the gift
God offers to us – that of his own Son. At
the same time we are there to recognize our true wealth in Christ. Whatever we
are holding on to or holds on to us we must let go. It isn’t only material
wealth that holds us: bad habits, unhealthy relationships, unforgiveness,
prejudice and racism.
I recently read what I felt was a wonderful insight about the power of secular culture today: “We give a nod to God and then go and do what we want.” If we seek wisdom above all, God himself above all, then all else will take its rightful place.
---------------------------
May your grace, O Lord, we pray,
at all times go before us and follow after
and make us always determined
to carry out good works.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
(Collect of Mass)
No comments:
Post a Comment