Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Today is the beginning of Ordinary time in the Church. Though the Easter season is officially over, we continue to witness the amazing activity in the early Christian communities. The challenges of the times in which we live are a bit different from those early Christians, but their determination and singleness of heart completely engaging.
The reading from the First letter of Peter encourages believers to remain firm in their faith. These fledgling Christian communities were small and scattered and endured oppression and persecution from the surrounding cultures in which they lived. The apostle reminds that the trials and challenges they are experiencing must accompany the gift of their calling through Baptism in Christ and asks them to keep their hearts and minds raised to and focused on what God has promised them: eternal salvation. The apostle describes this inheritance as “…imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” (1 Pt 1:4). He gently exhorts them to stay focused on their love, hope, and faith in Jesus Christ whose complete sacrifice and love has made this salvation possible.
The passage from the Gospel of Mark relates the encounter between Jesus and the rich young man (Mark 10:17-27). We find the young man asking Jesus what he must do to attain eternal life. Jesus tells him “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then, come follow me.” (Mk 10:21). But even before Jesus says anything to this young man verse 21 says “Jesus, looking at him, loved him… ”. In light of the young man’s response to Jesus, I find myself wondering if he even realized that this Jesus was looking on him with love. By all appearances this young man was living well ordered life. He had obeyed the commandments his entire life and probably saw nothing wrong with being wealthy or powerful. In fact, affluence was seen as a sign of God’s favor in the culture of that time. Now Jesus was saying that wealth and possessions are a hindrance to eternal life. I have often been tempted by discouragement when I read the part “…at that statement his face fell, and he went away sad…” (Mk 10:22). I have found myself pretending that is not the end of the story for the rich young man. I would rather think that this was merely his initial response and, though he went away struggling, he eventually gave up his possessions and returned to follow this Jesus who loved him. I would like to believe that he realized the total commitment and complete faith Jesus was asking for was motivated purely by love for him.
The Easter season may have officially ended with Pentecost, but Jesus is present to us as well—as the Risen Christ who looks on us exactly as he looked on that young man. Every time we approach Jesus, every time we become conscious of Jesus, every time Jesus reaches out to us, it is in the Spirit of love. When Jesus, who physically entered human history, taught, ministered and healed, and sacrificed everything for us, looks upon us in our present condition—lacking, sinful and weak as we are—he looks on each one of us with love. When we become aware of what we are “lacking” or how we need to change our lives, are we aware of Jesus looking at us with love? Are we aware that it is precisely because of this love that he reveals to us our shortcomings? That it is grace? I know some of the positive changes in my life have been motivated by discomfort or necessity, but I pray that as I continue this journey as a disciple I will be motivated more and more by my love for God just as he has loved me. I hope my response to God’s invitation to transformation will become increasingly pure and generous, more immediate and reflexive on this journey to salvation.
O Mysterious Holy One,
I thank you for loving me into existence
and for being present to me at every moment.
Grant me the grace this day,
to respond to you with a generous and eager heart
and with the willingness necessary to transform my life
purely for love of you and your eternal glory,
With the intercession of the Blessed Virgin,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen
-Gail Lyman