"Go sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." Mk 10:21
Readers naturally wonder about Jesus' tone when responding to the rich young man. Was he hard edged, knowing how difficult his challenge was? Was he gentle and inviting, hoping the young man would not be intimidated or afraid. Although Jesus was inviting him to wonder and awe, few of us would realize this on first reading this Marcan text.
Getting rid of what we have can be powerfully freeing, if only we listen deeply and realize what a marvelous invitation Jesus is offering us. Not really concerned with what we have but how attached we are to it, Jesus knows that following him as a pilgrim demands that nothing get in the way of our speaking and living the good news. If people see us as wealthy and deeply secure in the world, they might follow us for a while, but as soon as the demands of the gospel become apparent they will fall away. Jesus is asking the rich young not to let this happen to him, and his warning to us is no different. Unless we depend on the Lord for life and security, the gospel will not be heard.
Today, think not about what you have, but what you can become if you stop clinging to things.
How do you feel about "selling" everything to follow Christ
A reader, Susan Abbott, sent me an email with what follows. I post it with her permission, and thank her for her insights.
ReplyDeleteOkay – here’s my thought on this passage – most reflections/homilies I have heard or read on this presume that it’s over – the young man is soooo attached to his stuff that he cannot/does not follow Jesus. I take comfort in three verses: Jesus looked on him and loved him… he went away sad…. With God all things are possible. Nowhere does it say that he didn’t come back and who of us with many possessions wouldn’t feel sadness at the thought of divesting? And if we really believe that all things are possible… well, I refer back to my image of the giant yard sale before the rich young man joined the followers of the itinerant preacher…. You know, the carpenter’s kid.
God, please help me be less acquisitive and more inquisitive – about you and how I can better follow you.