Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
I recently returned from Honduras where I went on a mission trip with a group of University of Dayton students. One day we had the opportunity to visit with a Honduran family at their home. Their house consisted of a very small one room building made of clay. The home had no windows, no water, no electricity, dirt floors, a stove without a chimney, no indoor bathrooms, and very few pieces of furniture. As we talked with this family, they displayed a genuine pride in their home and contentment with their life even in the midst of their meager existence. Today’s readings remind us that material things can sometimes be distractions taking us away from what is truly valuable in our lives. We are reminded that we should find our wealth in God, His mercy, and the salvation that He brings to us.
In the first reading from the Book of Sirach, the author invites us to “turn again to the Most High and away from your sin.” (Sir 17:25) We are called away from the “error of the ungodly” and reminded that we should use our lives to “praise and glorify God in his mercies.” (Sir 17:28) The message here seems almost urgent as we are reminded that we should “offer our praise before death.” (Sir 17:28) I know that I often become caught up in the details of life- the things of this world, and I become complacent regarding my relationship with God. So often I forget that He is the source of all things that I know and experience, and despite my failings and sins, it is only His mercy that brings me salvation. It is not that I should abandon all that I have in my life- the people, things and experiences, but I must recognize that all of these things are not “mine” but gifts from God to be used for His glory. For all of us “who are alive and well” we should “praise and glorify God in his mercies” (Sir 17:28) and thank Him for all His blessings.
The Gospel reading is the story of the rich young man who asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus explains that it takes more than just following the commandments, and he tells the young man to “go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come follow me.”(Mark 10:21) As I reflect on this reading, I imagine that the young man “went away sad” because giving up his possessions not only meant giving away his material goods, but also meant losing his social standing and long term security. I suspect that this young man came from a wealthy family and for that reason he believed that what he had was justly deserved and giving away his wealth meant that he was in some way losing himself, his inheritance, and what he had come to believe was essential for life. I am sure that the apostles were dumbfounded by Jesus’ response “how hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God.” (Mark 10: 23) They too probably believed that wealth was a blessing that indicated God’s favor with those who had been given in abundance. Jesus response gives understanding to the predicament of this young man. When asked “Then who can be saved?” He replies, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” (Mark 10: 27) Jesus is encouraging the young man and those with wealth to look beyond their material possessions and recognize that their hope and salvation does not rest in “things” but only in God. God is the giver of all things, and therefore all that is given belongs to Him. Jesus calls the young man and all people to go beyond just “doing the right things”. He calls each of us to a complete surrender and trust in God and His mercy. If we have faith that God’s love for us in unlimited, then we can believe that He will always give us His care and protection. What an amazing challenge for each us of to follow Jesus in this way! Fortunately it is not up to us to do it on our own, since Jesus promises that it is God’s grace that guides us and makes all things possible.
After returning from my trip, I look around at my life, my possessions, and all that I have. I wonder if Jesus had said to me, “give it all away” could I do that. I think that experiences like I had in Honduras help me to refocus on what is truly important in my life. I am reminded again that everything that I have has been given to me by God. Once again I am called to be grateful to Him for these gifts. I am also reminded that all the things that I have should not be the source of my security both here and for the future. In the Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius talks about the importance of “detachment”-or “spiritual indifference”. I should not be attached to anything or person that would prevent me from loving and serving God. If I am truly a follower of Jesus, I must believe and act on the premise that God is in control and the source of my security. With this mindset, I believe that I am called to use all the blessings I have received in ways that serve Him and others, since I recognize that He will provide all that I need. I know that this is a very challenging approach to living. If I truly recognize and believe in the abundant love and mercy of God, then it should not be difficult to live trusting in His protection. Regardless of the material possessions that we have, I think each of us is called to find our wealth in God’s abundant mercy and grace.
Heavenly Father, you are the giver of all good things, help us to always be mindful of your generosity and thankful for our blessings. With the strength of Your Spirit, help us to always trust in You and your mercy. May we use the gifts we have been given to follow Your Son in love and service to others, we pray this is Christ’s name. AMEN.
- Marylynn Herchline