28th Ordinary Sunday                                                                                    Mark 10:17-22

One day an Indian boy found a large pearl on the beach. He knew the pearl was priceless and his worries were now over. He would never have to work again as long as he lived. But when the boy tried to sell the pearl, the buyers showed no interest. As the days went on the boy was attacked several times, and he realized that the pearl buyers were out to rob him and possibly kill him for his pearl. He realized he had to make a choice: either hold his beautiful pearl or lead a life of fear. While the buyers looked on, the boy went to the beach, took the pearl and threw it as far as he possibly could into the sea. — The lesson of the story and the gospel today is this: how strongly are we attached to our possessions, strong enough that they can prevent our salvation. Although it is difficult for some to let go of their possessions, it is not impossible. God can give us the grace to overcome these worldly attractions. Now I am not saying that we have to cast all our possessions into the sea. But we have to be sure that they are not attached to our hearts stronger than Jesus is attached. Is our faith stronger than our need for more earthly riches?

In the gospel the young man speaks to Jesus using the title “Good Teacher.” The man uses this greeting to show his great respect for Jesus. He may have believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah when he asked, how he could enter “eternal life.” Jesus’ response was,“Why do you call me good?” It is not that Jesus rejects the praise that he is offered: but he wants to show the man the depth of words: — yes, he is good not just because he is a good man but because he is God, who is goodness itself. A mysterious answer that indicates the man has spoken the truth, but he has not gone far enough. 

Then Jesus, who has come not to condemn the law but to fulfill it. Asks the young man if he has obeyed the commandments and even proceeds to quote the commandments that refer to love thy neighbor. The man then says that he has obeyed these laws for all his young life. His answer shows that he knew the commandments of God but that would not be sufficient to earn him eternal life. Christ loves him because he wears his heart right on his sleeve. Jesus knows that not only is he fit for eternal life but that he is one who could have a high place in heaven if he will leave his possessions and become a follower, a disciple. Not only will he become a saint, but he could lead many to sanctity. 

The price to pay for this privilege was too high for this good man, for “he had great possessions” and he was too attached to these things to accept Christ’s offer. His facial expression became sad he went away in great sorrow. Notice, Christ’s respect for the young man’s freedom of choice as he watches and allows him to walk away after making a life changing wrong choice.

It is our choice how we get entrapped by materialism in our society. Jesus looks at his disciples and says, “How hard it will be for those who are rich to enter the kingdom of God!” This statement of Jesus, however, does not mean that a follower may not possess any of this world’s goods. We may possess and use those goods but we must not allow them  to take a hold on us so that we have no time to take hold of spiritual goods necessary for our own salvation. There are Christians whose whole purpose in life is the accumulation of worldly goods. Much of this accumulation can be unjust, e.g. keeping laborers from just wages, overcharging customers, cheating in business deals, and many other methods to produce unearned wealth.

There are very rich people who have acquired their wealth honestly and justly and open much of their wealth on charitable causes. Their wealth will not hinder them from reaching heaven. Those who are poor or not rich are still expected to treat their neighbors with small charitable acts. Remember that Christ praised the widow who put a penny into the poor box. I twas the greatest gift in Christ’s mind because it was all she had. He also said that a cup of cold water given in his name would not go without reward. We need not be rich in order to be charitable; often our inflated evaluation of our poverty can make us hard-hearted toward our neighbors. Here’s a relevant story:

There were two philosophy professors at the university talking together and one professor said, “Henry tells me he is one of your students.” The second professor replied, “Well, Henry does attend most of my classes, but he is not one of my students.” 

Too bad there are so many distant observers, and so few real disciples. — Our meditation for the day: are we observers or real disciples?