Tuesday of First Week in Ordinary Time, May 29, 2007

Sirach 35:1-12. Psalm 50:5-8,14,23. Mark 10:28-31. Lectionary # 348:

In the sequel to the young man with many possessions but who was not able
to sacrifice them to follow Jesus, we find Peter representing those who do
follow Jesus. He is concerned about what he and the other apostles will
have as their reward. Jesus answer is a bit disconcerting in view of what
he had just said to the young man. The apostles are to have abundance in
homes, families, land; yet, we know this never happened, but they did have
the last thing mentioned--persecutions! Jesus seems to be promising them
everything that the young man was to leave. How do we reconcile such
contradictory advice from the wisdom of Jesus? Perhaps, those with
religious vows look upon the passage as the promises made to them. They
seem to prosper in communities that are comfortable and they do have many
brothers and sisters in those whom they teach, counsel, and console. This
would satisfy some who try to understand what Jesus is saying to both the
young man and to Peter who represents the apostles. It seems that we need
to not take the promises made here literally. Jesus in the Gospel of Mark
is always challenging his apostles to look more deeply into what he is
calling them to do. He often questions them and puts them down for not
understanding. We, too, when reading Mark are to be challenged as they
were and questioned as they were. The Gospels are meant to lead us to
develop a deeper relationship with Jesus and to live out his words and
commandments to love. These Gospels were also written for Christian
communities after the Resurrection of Jesus so they need to be seen in the
light of resurrection faith and not historical memories. The riches they
bring to the apostles and to us are those that are expressed in the way
Jesus lived. The Beatitudes come to mind and are a portrait of who Jesus
is. The beatitudes are the blessings and riches we receive when we follow
Jesus more closely. Peter certainly was led to think about all of this and
Mark the author probably recorded his consternation at what Jesus had told
the young man. In reflecting upon the puzzling promises, I came to the
conclusion that the Gospels are for Christian communities and the
individuals within them to love one another fully and honestly and to bring
to one another not riches of money, properties, power, and influence but
mutual support, patient endurance, sharing things unselfishly, and
trusting one another. We are not to fight for being number one or the
first in line, but as Jesus says, "But many who are first will be last, and
the last will be first." This is to be seen in the light of our faith and
our purpose in life as members of Christian communities. Amen.