Word to the Wise
Monday, May 27, 2013 - Monday in the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
[Sir 17:20-24 and Mark 10:17-27]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 sad, for he had many possessions.
Do we own our "stuff," or does our "stuff" own us? The pious man who comes to Jesus looking for the answer to his question about inheriting eternal life seems to think he can keep what he has and get eternal life as well. There's no question that he is living a good life and keeping the commandments. Indeed his "many possessions" would be to him (and to the disciples, too) a sign of God's blessings and not an obstacle. Jesus loves him but gently confronts him with those possessions. If he would give himself to following Jesus, he cannot allow anyone or anything else to own him!
It is clear that the disciples found themselves in sympathy with the man. Wealth and possessions would be a sign of blessings. Why is it hard for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God? Jesus points out that it only with God that eternal life is possible. No amount of possessions can guarantee salvation. Indeed, they can be an obstacle to it. We don't know what the man does ultimately. We can ask ourselves, "Would I go away sad as well?" AMEN