Word to the Wise
Tuesday, May 29, 2018 - Tuesday in the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Pet 1:10-16 and Mark 10:28-31]Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, "Be holy because I am holy." [1 Peter}
There is a song in the Broadway musical, SWEET CHARITY, "There's gotta be something better than this," that comes to my mind when I read of the incident in yesterday's gospel of the man who asks Jesus what must he do to inherit eternal life. He receives a big challenge in response. But it is what drove the man to speak to Jesus in the first place that comes to my mind in reading the words from 1 Peter, quoted above. That letter speaks of a call to "holiness." The Second Vatican Council placed this "call" at the center of Christian life, founded on baptism.
Pope Francis has recently written a document entitled, GAUDETE ET EXULTATE, (Rejoice and Be Glad] which invites all of us to consider the call to holiness as not being the privilege of a few but something universally available to the People of God. It does not require special visions or methods. It is not some special knowledge for an elite nor is it attained by multiplying devotional acts. It does require our attention to God's loving presence in our lives and a desire to live in accord with the teachings of Jesus. When we become aware that the materialistic values of our culture have created new "gods" like the economy, the stock market, the internet/social media, entertainment, consumer goods - that is when we begin to think, "There's gotta be something better than this."
I can recall my own discernment for the possibility of entering religious life. I lived in a dormitory with many young men who had far greater wealth than I, and yet seemed very unhappy. It made me wonder, "Is there something better?" I know this has been the experience of others who enter ministry. There is a young couple I know with several children whose lifestyle is a constant inspiration to me because they have chosen a much simpler way of living than their peers. By government figures, they would be considered "poor." But I experience a measure of holiness with them that is very "rich" and human in expression but has an integrity and purpose that speaks loudly of the gospel. I am always grateful for their witness. I'm sure we can all think of people we know who are intentional about faith in a way that reflects "holiness." We should not consider ourselves incapable of that same call. The words from SWEET CHARITY simply echo what the scriptures from 1 Peter and the Gospel According to Mark tell us. Do we have the courage and faith to ask ourselves, "Is there something better than this?" AMEN