Word to the Wise
Monday, August 19, 2024 - Monday in the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
[Ezek 24:15-23 and Matt 19:16-22]“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. [Matthew]
When I made solemn (final) profession of vows in the Dominican Order back in August 1968, like all others who do the same, I was required to dispose of anything that I owned of my own to others or to the Order so that in the future everything I possessed I do not own. In short, I put myself in the hands of my Dominican brethren for whatever I need! I cannot complain that I have lacked for anything necessary, but the pronoun "mine" takes on a different meaning! The young man who approached Jesus to ask what good he had to do to gain eternal life was disappointed when Jesus told him that the emptiness in his life was caused by the abundance of material goods that he owned! I experienced this to some degree as a college student when I observed how some of the guys in the dorm, who were far wealthier than I, seemed unhappy with life. I felt, in the words of the song from SWEET CHARITY, "There's got to be something better than this!"
The Gospel According to Matthew emphasizes the uncompromising demand of discipleship. Jesus tells the young man that he is doing OK, but the young man knows somehow that OK isn't enough. He wanted to have his cake and eat it, too, and discipleship meant he had to give up the cake! What is at the root of this is security and living without knowing how one is going to live can be difficult as we know from those who are suffering in war zones or at the borders of our country. For those of us who enjoy the abundance of our American lifestyle and its emphasis on private property ("mine"), the question can arise, "Do I own my 'stuff' or does my 'stuff' own me?" Jesus' statement to the young man brought him face to face with that question. Can we face it, too? AMEN