HE WENT AWAY SORROWFUL FOR HE HAD GREAT POSSESSIONS
(A biblical reflection on the Eight Ordinary Week of the Year – Monday, May 28, 2012)
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:17-27
First Reading: 1Pet 1:3-9; Psalms: Ps 111:1-2,5-6,9-10
The Scripture Text
And as He was setting out on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” and Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to Him, “Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth.” And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” At that saying his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.
And Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the Kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” (Mk 10:17-27 RSV)
Jesus has just given His disciples a stern warning about making one’s self an obstacle to love of God. He warns against pride and envy. “Keep yourself small,” He says, “by welcoming the little children.” He Himself blesses the children “because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
Now Jesus warns us also about putting “things” in the way of God’s love. The rich young man wants to know how to arrive at his best potential, how to live forever. Jesus reminds him that there is a guidebook, the commandments of God. The young man answers, “Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth” (Mk 10:20).
Jesus looks at the man’s fine clothing and expensive jewelry. This young man is quite sincere, but he has not been put to the test. He is well groomed, well fed, well protected from the hardships of life. It is time for him to face reality. This is his moment of truth. Jesus lays it on the man but, says Mark, He presents it with love: “You need something more, friend. You are in danger of letting the “kingdom of thingdom” get between you and God’s Kingdom. Go, sell it all! Give it to those who are real need, and come, follow Me. Choose voluntary poverty, complete self-giving; trust completely in God for your earthly needs.”
The young man is visibly shaken. Apparently he was not asking Jesus to challenge him, but only to approve of him. Jesus has opened the door wide to spiritual growth by leaps and bounds. But His light comes too clearly through that open door. And it shows the man that he is really attached to his possessions. He is chained, hooked, bogged down. He can free himself to follow Jesus. Saint Mark has a short note here, making this story of the rich young man one of the saddest stories in the Gospel: “… he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions” (Mk 10:22).
The poor disciples have always thought riches were a blessing from God! Not so! Jesus told His disciples: “How hard it will be for those have riches to enter the Kingdom of God!” (Mk 10:23). Responding to the amazement of his disciples at His words, Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were exceedingly astonished, and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” (Mk 10:26). Jesus answered: “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God” (Mk 10:27). Yes, man does not save himself. But God can do anything!
Short Prayer: Lord Jesus, how free You were, and how imprisoned was the rich young man. He walked away quiet and sad because he had great possessions. Then You said to Your disciples how hard it was for the rich to enter the Kingdom ofGod. Lord, make each and every one of us good disciples of Yours. Amen.