The Message of the Disappointed Rich Man
On whose terms do you follow Jesus
Often times when you are either reading or even writing a short story, it is important to understand that every word counts. So, as you may have learned from school, you have the story but different details about the story add more to it.
I explained earlier in the year that this is endemic in St. Mark. If you understand that every word is important you can add details to fully understand more what Jesus says or teaches.
If you look at today’s story, you will understand that Jesus is illustrating an ancient principle in the Old Testament and a powerful timeless principle that is the center of Christianity.
On whose terms do we accept Jesus.
So the man is rich, that means he has tremendous power associated with his money. However, he also wants to experience eternal life and ask Jesus what he must do.
We see that Jesus talks to him about the commandments. He replies he always followed them. Now Jesus gives him the challenge to sell all he has and give to the poor. Why does he demand this?
Simple, He is rich and he follows the ten commandments which means he is doing what he needs to do but on his terms. Now he approaches Jesus and the Lord calls him to live on Christ’s terms. What is the difference between the two.
Wisdom the greatest treasure
In the Old Testament, there are several places that teach that wisdom is the greatest of all treasures. Jesus himself teaches that the Kingdom of God is the pearl of great price, it is the greatest of all treasures. What is at the heart of the Kingdom of God, the wisdom of God.
All the riches of the world are nothing compared to the wisdom of God. What is at the wisdom of God is a profound understanding of the truth of who we are and what we are about.
Let me repeat for you the dumbest words I ever heard. When asked if I would work with nuclear weapons in the Navy, I said no. The reason I gave was that I did not want to push the button, and then there are five people left in the world who point to me that I was the one who pushed the button. The officer who asked me said “These are not big nuclear weapons they are only the size of the hiroshima bomb.”
I responded: “Sir, that killed one hundred thousand people in four seconds. No!”
What kind of mentality actually can make that kind of a statement, it is not big nuclear bomb.
Yet, that is the intelligence of some of the most powerful people in the world. Some of the must humble powerless people would look at that and say this is crazy. How can someone make a statement like that and call themselves wise?
What is the wisdom of Christ based on understand what true treasure is and seeking it. However, if Jesus is the source of wisdom, then we can only find this wisdom when we drop everything and follow him, this is what he teaches the rich man.
Remember, Jesus called himself the truth. If you want to find this truth, then you have to accept it on his terms. Otherwise, you will find it only on your own terms and if you don’t fully understand the truth, then you will not find it. This is the message behind the scenes.
Leaving the comfort zone
Jesus is calling the man to walk in faith well beyond his comfort zone. In fact, he is calling him to drop everything ounce of control and follow him.
How do we put put ourselves in this position. Well, we can sell all we have and give to the poor. However, that is not required. Instead, praise God for all things. Obviously, when things are going well. However, also things are going badly. This can range from stubbing your toe at midnight going to the bathroom to losing your job and worse.
Praise God for all things and see where He leads you.
photo: VadimGuzhva at BigStockPhoto.com
Fr. Robert J Carr is pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Allston, MA
The parish podcast is at https://catholicaudiomedia.com