RBWords

     Today the liturgical calendar returns to "Ordinary Time," which means that no great "season" like Christmas or Easter is being celebrated.  That cycle of important "seasons" will begin again with Advent in late Autumn!  Returning to Ordinary Time, which began in January and was interrupted by Lent and Easter, means that we resume the emphasis on the Gospel of Mark, which is featured in Cycle B.  We are now in the 8th week of Ordinary Time.

     The story in today's gospel scripture from Mark is found in all three of the "synoptic" gospels.  Tradition somehow refers to the man as "a rich young man," but the text does not say that.  It just says, "a man!"   Perhaps Jesus could tell from the way he spoke or the clothing he wore that the man was wealthy.  However, the point of this story is not about wealth or even about possessions in themselves.  When Jesus replies to the man's question, it becomes clear that this was a guy who "followed the rules,etc." all his life and yet found that unsatisfying.  The one thing lacking in his life was standing in front of him:  Jesus!  But, to follow Jesus, this man would have to get rid of the one obstacle to fulfillment:  his wealth!  The challenge seems too much to ask!  He goes away "sad."

     It is not uncommon to read about a person who "sells everything" and goes to work in an area of terrible poverty or starts a refuge for battered women or an orphanage.  We have many heroes like this to inspire us:  Dorothy Day or Mother Teresa of Calcutta come to mind quickly.  Jesus is not asking this of the man.  He is replying to the man's expressed need and to the one thing this particular man needs to do to realize the goal of eternal life.  That thing is to follow Jesus!  In this man's case, selling his possessions is the key.  His heart is in those possessions, even if he has "followed the commandments" in his life.  A change of heart is harder than a change of lifestyle, but changing the latter may be necessary for changing the former!  AMEN