TLDR: I just returned from Cursillo and find myself thinking about three different characters in Scripture and their reaction to Christ. Read on for more.
Since the end of Cursillo this last Sunday, I have been thinking about one of my devotionals for the Day Two Holy Eucharist. That devotional compared three different reactions to Christ in Holy Scripture and invites the listener to reflect on our own relationship with Christ. The goal is to inspire a change in priorities, placing Christ at the very center of our life.
Mark 10: 17-22:
“As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. You shall not defraud. Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.”
I have a lot of sympathy for this earnest young man. He seems to be sincere in his faith, he is a righteous Judean, and unlike many of the Sadducees, he seems to believe in eternal life. In fact, the only criticism of him the passage gives us is Jesus’ last remark, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” (v. 23). This comment can be misunderstood to convince us of the evils of wealth, as though money itself is the problem. I believe the real problem is the internal inclinations of our hearts around issues of wealth: The avarice, greed, arrogance, pride, and self-sufficiency many wealthy people feel. The biblical term, “Puffed Up” often summarizes this over-confidence in wealth to answer all of life’s questions and solve all problems. If the primary attitude for those seeking to enter the Kingdom of God is our humility and dependence on God’s grace, then it will indeed be hard for rich people who feel self-sufficient and satisfied to enter.
Jesus’ answer, “Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor” is an individual answer to this particular person and those who develop unhealthy attachments to their possessions. This young man found great comfort in his wealth, but it was this comfort itself that was the problem. To inherit God’s kingdom he needed to place all his devotion and attention on Christ and the Gospel. Wealth became the obstacle for a life of discipleship and service. There was just not room enough in his heart for Christ and wealth. One of the two needed to be given up and Jesus recommends the giving up of wealth.
Some have called the young man’s decision to walk away “a failure of cowardice of an otherwise good and sincere man.” I believe this is a harsh criticism, but there is some truth to it. The young man was unwilling to give up status, privilege, power, and the communal deference given to the wealthy. Remember that it was customary to see the wealthy as righteous and blessed by God, precisely because they had vast resources others did not have. On the other hand, poverty marked people as unrighteous or perhaps punished by God. Jesus has asked this young man to move from a position of righteousness in accordance with the law to a position of righteousness in the sight of God. A trade, if you will, from tressures on earth to treasures in heaven.
Although Jesus felt sad for this young man, he let him go without stopping or trying to convince him with rhetoric or Scripture. Love always allows the freedom of another to make whatever decisions they need to make in relation to Christ. Is this your story? Are you a person caught between your desire to live for the Lord and your attachments to people, places, and things? Are you overly attached to the concerns of this world? To influence, power, status? Do you lack courage to trust God for the details of your life?
John 12:4-6:
“4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)
No one abandons God all at once, in a moment. It is always a process, whether we acknowledge it or not. Judas abandoned the Lord by degrees also. He allowed his own needs and wants to create barriers between him and Jesus. These barriers were dishonesty, greed, and pride. Our barriers may be different, but if we don’t deal with them, they too will separate us from God. Judas was able to fool the eleven and even himself, but he could not fool Jesus. The Lord knew who he was, and he still loved him. Even on the night before his death, Jesus washed Judas’ feet and invited him to conversion, but Judas’ heart was hardened, and he chose the darkness of Evil and despair. I find comfort in the fact that Jesus loved Judas to the end. It was Judas who separated from Jesus and the community of believers. When he came to his senses, he gave way to despair rather than returning to Jesus in repentance. He never had the relationship with Jesus that was necessary to ask for forgiveness. Repentance requires humility and Judas lacks this humility. As a Zealot, he probably had liberationist, political, revolutionary expectations for Jesus, and when he realized this was a different type of Savior, he lost faith and began to distance over time. Jesus did not fit within his view of the Messiah’s mission.
Is this your story? Have you also been blinded to the truth about Jesus because you have allowed certain evils to separate you from God? Have you become deaf to his invitation to return to him because you have listened too much to your own counsel? Are you despairing because you are afraid to look to Jesus for forgiveness and healing?
Mark 14:27-31:
“And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ “But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though all fall away, I will not.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said vehemently, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And all of them said the same.
Peter was earnest and loved Jesus, but he trusted too much in his ability to lead the Christ-like life. He was overly confident. He often made rash statements because he trusted too much in his ability to remain faithful, “Even if… I will not!”. Ironically, all his resolve and devotion failed him at the time of trial, becoming a sign of scandal for his friends. But Peter had a redeeming quality: He was humble and willing to repent. Even after his failure, he never lost his confidence that Jesus loved him. He discovered that as long as he dedicated himself completely to Jesus, Jesus would give him the strength to overcome all obstacles. We see Jesus’ forgiveness of Peter in John 21:15 when Peter undoes the three denials at the time of trial to three post-resurrection affirmations. “Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you.”
The message we derive from Peter is the assurance that Chist will always forgive a contrite heart. God will also use broken, faltering, wavering individuals to advance the Kingdom, which is a great source of comfort for all of us. In fact, the Bible gives us a long record of imperfect individuals like Abraham, Moses, David, and many of the prophets, who are used in a mighty way by God to advance Salvation History to our own day.
Jesus is looking at us today as he looked at the rich young man, Judas, and Peter all those years ago, with the same attention and love. We must make a decision as we come face to face with him this week. Are we afraid of encountering Jesus? Are we tempted to walk away? Are we blind or deaf because of worldly preoccupations? Are we imperfect like Peter but willing to follow him and be in his service? Are we willing to trust in his love for us?
May our Lord continue to bless us.
Fr. Roman+
