We Have Given Up Everything to Follow You.
Dear Parishioners,
A young wealthy man came to Jesus with a serious request. First, he was in a hurry to reach Jesus. In a gesture of humility, he asked Jesus what he can do to inherit eternal life. It was a dramatic display of someone sincerely longing for something much more in life. This young man seems to have reached that critical point in life where wealth and mere observance of conventional rules were no longer sufficient. Perhaps the desire to live longer and escape death weighed on him. He is no longer finding security and peace in material wealth; something is happening to him. He is a symbol for the restlessness in our world today. He speaks to all of us, especially to those who place their hopes solely in money and worldly fading glory.
He desired something more. Jesus gently guided him through self-examination of the commandments and found him honest and sincere. If you examine your consciousness, what will you discover? Jesus offers a new proposal to the young man and to us. “There is one thing more, you must do. Go and sell what you have and give to the poor… come and follow me.” This is a turning point. It seems an insurmountable proposal; to give away all we have and follow Jesus. It was too much for the young man, who was seeking access to eternal life.
As I reflect on this encounter, I share the fears of this young man who was not ready to shade off his belongings, nor ready for such a spiritual detachment. Do you find yourself in such a conundrum? Do you find the precepts of the Lord too heavy? Do you feel that the gospel demands are excessive? This encounter gives us an opportunity to truly examine ourselves and realign our motives, desires and commitment to discipleship. Jesus presents an option that will grant us the gift of eternal life.
We know how difficult this proposal is. It is not easy to give up our security, means of livelihood and family ties. It is not easy to give your hard-earned money or property to anyone, especially to those who may not be able to pay you back in material terms. Could this be Jesus’s style of inviting us to die to self so that something more beautiful may rise in us? Could it be Jesus’s way of asking us to give up our security attachment to material things so that we can become more attached to God?
The disciples mediating on this encounter found themselves struggling to understand this new proposal of Jesus. First, the Old Testament always regarded wealth as a sign of God’s protection and favor. Now Jesus seems to suggest something different. The disciples were marveled at his words. So, they say to Jesus, “What about us? We have given up everything to follow you.” Jesus offered a reassuring answer and a promise of a better reward, but not without embracing the kingdom.
His kingdom is not a wide-open door either. It requires our readiness to adjust and shade off whatever that will make it difficult to pass through its door. To free oneself from material attachment demands a process of transition. In the Book of Wisdom, the process for a wise person begins with prayer and pleading for God’s help. Let us always pray for the gift of wisdom, so that we may know how to use material wealth and still be in a loving relationship with God and one another. That is the mission of Jesus. To teach us how to use God’s gift well. In return, God blesses us hundredfold.
Therefore, detachment from the wealth put us right into the kingdom where much more satisfying true wealth is found. It is not a deprivation of goods; rather it fulfils our longings and desire of happiness. If we can free ourselves of things that weigh us down, only then can we be capable of following Jesus. Let us not be like that young rich man who went away sad because he had many possessions.
Grace and Peace To You,
Fr. Vitalis Anyanike, Pastor
