"Go sell what you have and give to the poor . . .then come, follow me."
The Sunday Word: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/101418.cfm
Mark 10: 17-30
Our recent violent weather with two significantly large
hurricanes hitting the southeast and now the Florida panhandle may offer a good
reflection for us in light of this Sunday’s challenging Gospel from Mark. Smart people in the path of those storms did
the right things in protecting their homes and leaving the area for safer
locations. The aftermath of the violent winds and rain with massive devastation
from its path is heartbreaking. We know that thousands of people are now faced
with the task of cleaning up and rebuilding lives with accounting for
losses.
But, as we often hear the real treasure recognized is in the value
of family members and loved ones who survived the event. We can replace and rebuild but we cannot
replace each other is frequently voiced.
Yet, even for all that, our Gospel challenges us to go farther in what
we have and who we seek. The Gospel challenges us to something more essential.
In our Gospel from Mark, Jesus encounters a well-meaning and
hopeful man who happens to be very rich.
But note how the passage begins: “As
Jesus was setting out on a journey a man ran up . . .” Mark frames this
event as our Lord begins to walk, to set out on a “journey.” As he begins this
wealthy man eagerly approaches him, symbolically wanting to follow him. The man is eager, respectful as he kneels
down, but feels a nagging sense, in spite of his riches, that there must be
something more; something yet missing “to
inherit eternal life.” Despite all he had and likely what he had done he
longed for more and he awaits Jesus affirmation and response. You can imagine
the sincerity on his face. But take note of the journey scene; to follow the Lord
daily is a walk with Christ and it has expectations.
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. The
man confidently 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 door to salvation? As a
kind of entitlement? Still, one deeper challenge Jesus now demands.
Don’t forget the first four commandments which concern our love for God and how we live that in our life. Jesus does not directly mention them as he did the others: One God alone; no false idols; reverence God’s name; keep the Sabbath holy. Where does this man stand on his love for God? In his response to the man he does name these by asking the central question: “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? In addition to all else, where is the value of my spiritual life? Only on Sundays - if ever? Only when I'm in trouble or want something? Obviously, the man is deeply shaken by Jesus fuller demand for “he had many possessions.”
The incredulous response of the man is sad, “. . . At that statement, his face fell and
he went away sad . . .” The original eagerness with which he approached
Jesus has now turned to sadness and he backs off his original desire to join
Jesus on his journey. It’s a sad scene but a powerful reflection for us who
seek to do the same. Remember Jesus looked upon him with love – he may indeed
have wanted him to join his group of disciples but his attachments were too
many. 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 wiser
choice.
Our first reading from Wisdom beautifully puts 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.
Is Jesus asking us to choose abject poverty before we can say
we follow him? Our western modern minds
go that way indeed. But, look at the
Gospel in its entirety today. Later,
Peter queries: “We have given up
everything and followed you.” We’ve done what you asked the man to do so
what’s in it for us? “Everything” seems
to imply more than material possessions.
Family ties have been left behind, the comfort of home and security of
regular employment have been set aside, we travel from village to village and
risk our reputations, etc. This is no
small sacrifice the disciples of Jesus have made.
Our Lord’s response is reassuring about the riches that will
come to them: “. . . a hundred times more now and in this present life . . .”
But the what’s in it for us question seems natural yet still a bit off the
mark. Jesus essentially lays the grounds
for discipleship. This doesn’t
necessarily mean we all need to be Francis of Assisi but we do need to have our
attachments and detachments in proper order.
Each week we gather as Church 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. Yet,
if we simply leave Church at the end of holy Mass or think its only about me or I'm the only one who is favored above others with no connection to our
daily lives or our relationship in the community of believers we are missing the point of coming at all. We join our lives with the sacrifice offered
in thanksgiving and repentance and then go forth to "glorify the Lord by
our lives." By the example we give
to others throughout our week, we show that God is always first above all
things.
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.” Doesn’t God and the things of the spirit deserve far more than just a
nod from us? If we seek wisdom above all, God himself above all, then all else
will take its rightful place.
"Teach us to number our days aright;
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy,
and gladness all our days."
(from Psalm 90)
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