Word to the Wise
Monday, August 20, 2012 - Monday in the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
[Ezek 24:15-23 and Matthew 19:16-22]The young man said to him, "All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Although this gospel scripture for today is directed to all disciples, it is frequently used to inspire young (and not-so-young) persons to consider a vocation to priesthood or religious life. There are many stories of well-known saints who gave up a life of privilege and possessions because, like the young man in the gospel, they sensed that even if they were living a good life as a wealthy person, there "has to be something better than this!" (As the song says!) The "something better" means not simply getting rid of material possessions but the gift of the whole person to "following" Christ. It is a considerable challenge and in our current American context, it might be considered strange. St. Bernard of Clairvaux, whose feast we celebrate today, made the decision. St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare, and many others seem rather romantic figures - to be admired but not imitated!
Six men will enter the novitiate of the Southern Dominican Province this Fall. They seek to follow Christ as a poor preacher living in community as a Dominican friar. Yet, their choice can be made without entering religious life by any disciple of Jesus. If one realizes that there is something better than material security and the vast number of entertainment options available, it can be possible to live simply and give generously. We Dominicans speak of the "four pillars" of our life: prayer, study, community and ministry. Anyone can ask themselves on a daily basis four questions: How am I praying? How am I learning? How am I loving? How am I serving? These questions ccan open the door to the kind of life that Jesus offered that young man. Can we seriously ask them? AMEN
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