Mark 10:17-27 Do Not Go Away Sad
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
Setting out on a journey. And what a journey it is to live the adventure of life; to live free from doubts and hesitations; to live for a higher purpose; to give it your all and give it quickly; to live each day of your life like a mission given to you, a goal set clearly in your sight, and a purpose driven into your heart; to go and serve; to go and do the Father’s Will for the glory of His name.
Are you waking up each morning and setting out on a journey like this?
The Lord died. The Lord rose. The Lord ascended to Heaven. The Lord sent the Holy Spirit upon His Apostles. And now, He is waiting for your reply. So much has been done. So much has been given. So much is expected. What will be the very specific and unique fruit of the Holy Spirit produced from your life? How will you make Salvation history?
Sell what you have. It is not uncommon to die for a cause. People have been doing that for centuries. And far too many have done it for fool’s gold. What is uncommon is to give up fool’s gold – material wealth - in order to die to this world and conquer it.
Today, we celebrate the men and women of our armed forces. We don’t honor the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the Fuhrer, or Il Duce, or for Islamic terror. We honor our men and women who served our country well and in the good our country did and continues to do.
I know a young man who shocked his multi-millionaire dad the day after his graduation from Georgetown University. He told his father that he was going to enlist in the Marines. His father could not believe it; and though he failed to change his son’s mind, he at least convinced him to join the officer’s training program which he did. To everyone’s surprise, this young cadet scored in the 60percentile. In other words, 40 percent of the young men in the program scored higher than he did! Amazing, considering the fact that he graduated from Georgetown with nearly a 4.0 GPA.
Why are we surprised to hear such valor and bravery among young men? Don't they have the most to lose? Why are we surprised to hear of young men and women willing to lay it all down just for ajust cause? Why in today's world does it still matter? Because regardless of the times and what politicians say, uncommon valor and uncommon bravery still retain their definition of old.
Some things never change. Some things will never change. Some things must never change.
Over the years, I have had the grace (but not necessarily the pleasure) to experience a sort of divine confirmation in the vows I made before the Lord. What apparently seemed so crazy so long ago and to so many has been confirmed, time and time again, as supernatural. Teens have helped me to see more clearly and more dearly. Like finding a needle in a haystack, I can find beauty in hidden little things which are overlooked by teens but not out of their reach. I know how to laugh at myself; something few adults would dare do to themselves. Why? It’s obvious. If you wish to be great, then you must climb. But with the Lord, we know, if you wish to be great; you must descend.
The rich will become poor. The poor shall become rich. Through the vows, I know how to find wealth while others play bluff. I can perceive beauty where no eye has ever conceived. I find relief and a deep sense of approval when the elderly reaffirm the decision I made that came forth from outside of me. Their simple nod on their sick bed is confirmation, “You did well in your state of life. All things turn to dust. Only heaven remains. Well done.”
Believe me when I tell you: It is not crazy to be poor, chaste and obedient. It is not. In fact, it is crazy to not be poor, chaste and obedient to God and/or your spouse. It is crazy, absolutely crazy, to be rich and miserable. It is crazy, absolutely crazy, to be poor and miserable. What is not crazy is to be fulfilled; and the best way to be fulfilled is to be rich in the Lord (to live for the Lord) and poor to material things (to give rather than receive).
He went away sad. I want only what I need: nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. What do all men and women need? God. What can all men and women do without? Sin. Live life like this and you shall not go away sad as the rich young prince did; rather, you will go away from this world as the Apostles (and brave young soldiers) did: with honor, joy and at peace.
Father, just like you were called to be a priest, some are called to serve their country. How are we supposed to know if the armed forces is our calling? (I've been thinking a lot about it lately). I guess the same can be asked about any calling. Does God just make the answer clear to you one day?
ReplyDeleteExcellent question!!! We are all called to serve. But when it comes to serving in a specific way, then ask yourself the following questions: (1) Are you passionate about this? (2) Do others tell you that you should go for it? (3) Can you be the best at it? (4) Will they accept you?
Delete"I know how to laugh at myself; something few adults would dare do to themselves. Why? It’s obvious. If you wish to be great, then you must climb. But with the Lord, we know, if you wish to be great; you must descend."
ReplyDeleteWow, I love your statement quoted above. I guess I'm one of those people who dares to laugh at myself. Just the other day I giggled realizing after I posted a comment I typed the words "nursery home" instead of "nursing home." Oops! Seems like as I get older I recognize the little "oops" in life and laugh at them. It's hard for most people to think of descending in order to be great. Quite opposite in today's society when climbing the social ladder is king. I think of all of our brave men and women who fought for our country. They literally "descended into hell" fighting in jungles, battling on ships, and shooting from the trenches. Even with all of that misery I'm sure there was a bit of laughter to soothe the stress and anxiety.
-Jennifer