Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
“Go sell what you have and give to the poor...then come follow me.”
So said Jesus of Nazareth to a genuine seeker who was faithful to the Law of Moses. This rich man, drawn to the message of the young rabbi from Nazareth, wants even more.
Is Jesus laying it on a bit too thick here? Are these expectations too demanding? Even impossible?
The exchange between Christ and the rich man brings the Suscipe of St. Ignatius Loyola to mind:
Take, Lord receive all my liberty, my memory, understanding, my entire will, all I have and possess. You have given all to me and I return it. All is yours. Give me only your love and your grace. That's enough for me.
“Suscipe” (su'-she-pay) is from the Latin for “take.”
Catholics alive prior to Pope John's Council recall that such wholehearted commitment was considered possible only for vowed religious. If you were really, really serious about the faith than you entered the convent or went to the seminary. Some still think that way.
The most consequential contribution of the ecumenical council (1962-1965) was the recovery of the universal call to holiness. All the baptized are to respond to our Lord's invitation, “Come, follow me,” not only monsignors, archbishops, or abbesses.
The Suscipe can help us recover our baptismal integrity. It is a radical prayer of surrender. It's not a formula for instantaneous or easy decision making that we simply adopt one morning, like flipping on a switch. It is the journey of a lifetime.
The discipleship Jesus offers the rich man requires conscious surrender---putting ourselves at God's disposal. But alas the rich man is possessed-by-his-possessions.
Surrender is the fruit of honest soul searching concerning our strengths and weaknesses. The rich sacramental life of the Church is indispensable. Discernment is key. And lots and lots of patience.
Having a comfort level with mystery helps. Owning our baptismal integrity in Christ is essential. God meets us as we are and where we are, as the unique person that we are and in our own unique circumstances. God meets us in the right here and in the right now.
Tomorrow is Strove Tuesday and then Ash Wednesday. Why not pray the Suscipe of Saint Ignatius throughout the coming 40 days? Our journey to Easter is a most appropriate time to do this, inspiring and encouraging a discipleship quest of a lifetime---one day at a time.
Timothy J. Cronin