Scripture:
Wisdom 7:7-11
Hebrews 4:12-13
Mark 10:17-30
Reflection:
Something I have never noticed before is what is missing in Jesus’ listing some of the commandments. He omits the first one, “I, the Lord, am your God . . .you shall not have any other gods besides me” (Exodus 20:2-2). I imagine this was intentional, should Jesus have begun by noting the First Commandment, the conversation might have ended quickly. We as the reader hear that this man may be attached to the other gods of “many possessions.”
Instead, Jesus allows the man to acknowledge his faithful observance of all “these. . . from his youth” which is good and honorable. While Jesus does not state outright, his loving invitation to find the “one thing” lacking by divesting himself of his possessions to follow him is effective. Of course, for us having listened to the accompanying readings for today, we hear the words through that lens, and it seems glaringly obvious.
Jesus is the example par excellence of the Spirit of Wisdom from our first reading by his interaction with this man. His offer posed to the man allows him to see for himself—to be enlightened. His eyes were opened. The word of God, from the letter to the Hebrews, is most definitely sharper than any two-edged sword as it penetrates and separates, informs, and even indicts us. It clarifies.
Following this exchange, Jesus states twice how challenging it is for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of heaven. The disciples are amazed and then exceedingly astonished at these statements. I can imagine Peter’s confusion at Jesus’ words. There is on the one hand a genuine sense of concern as to exactly what Jesus means. I might be frustrated; what more can we do? In sharp contrast to this man, they have left everything to follow him.
Jesus reminds the disciples, and us, that for God nothing is impossible. We must cling to this belief. Even the desire for eternal life is only possible by God’s grace. We know that God chose us first, and not us who chose God (John 15:16). This man who ran and knelt before Jesus could only do so by a graced desire planted in him. The desire to respond is always invitational and never forced. The choice is always ours to take the risk, to embrace eternal life and its treasures now—today. Jesus assures his disciples, and us, that we will receive a hundred times more in this present age and not only in the age to come.
Of course, he does slip in the phrase “with persecutions“—note the plural use of the word. Sufferings and crosses belong to all humanity, however, as followers of Christ we are invited to find meaning and consolation amidst the hundreds of blessings like “houses and brothers and sisters...” We are not meant to go through life alone, we belong to the Christian community with its abundant expressions of the face and Spirit of God in Christ.
We cannot assume that this man who “went away sad” had an inability to divest himself of his possessions. It could also mean sadness at having to make the choice, yet willing to do so. I am often sad to let go of obstacles that ultimately rob me of a deeper commitment to Christ. A healthy life-in-Christ invites constant divesting of all that would impede our spiritual growth. We clear away all the clutter in preference for making room for the Spirit to breathe in us. Come Spirit of Wisdom, come Word of God, and help us declutter all that holds us back from you. Amen.
.Jean Bowler is a retreatant at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California, and a member of the Office of Mission Effectiveness Board of Holy Cross Province.