Word to the Wise
Sunday, October 11, 2015 - 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time - B
[Wis 7:7-11; Heb 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30 or 10:17-27,112]Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." At that statement his face fell, and he went away said, for he had many possessions. [Mark]
The man of many possessions would have been a good disciple. He had lived a life in accord with God's commands. He was sincere in his desire for eternal life. But to be a disciple meant that he had to put Jesus ahead of everything. What is more, he had to give his possessions away in order to be free to follow Jesus. "Treasure in heaven" was not what he was expecting. He "went away said, for he had many possessions." But his response was not unusual. The disciples were amazed at Jesus' teaching about wealth and its dangers, even though they had already "given up everything and followed you."
Jesus goes through the list of things that would have been considered great wealth at the time and tells the disciples that their generosity would not be ignored by God and they would receive much more than they gave up. They would also have to endure persecution as well. It is clear, however, that the disciples still regarded the man as a very fortunate person. Jesus had to correct that impression.
In the great Broadway musical, the leading character, Tevye, sings a song, "If I were a rich man..." and imagines what he could do with his wealth. He concludes the song, "Would it spoil some vast eternal plan if I were a wealthy man." Jesus says, "Yes, it might, if that is your ultimate goal!" I wonder how many of us ask ourselves when we make a purchase how that new possession will help us be a better disciple? AMEN