Homily for October 11, 2009

    What did Christ want of the ‘Rich Young Man’? Everything! Christ wants everything! That pierces like the two-edged sword of the second reading from Hebrews, doesn’t it? The question is: what is ‘everything’ for you? It is different for each individual.
    The Rich Young Man in the gospel passage is virtuous, yet he is seeking something more. Jesus recognizes this. Jesus “loved him.” He invites him to become a disciple. Jesus also identifies what the rich man lacks – detachment from his possessions. He goes away sad. That is a most hopeful line. When the man goes away sad, it is not the end of the story. It may well be the beginning. He needs time to re-evaluate his life, to ponder what is of ultimate value to him. He is still in formation. Jesus' words are indeed shaper than a two-edged sword for him. They might well re-form him. The wisdom of the first reading might yet be given him in the form of a conversion. He might yet return to Jesus. Now what about us?
    Why are possessions and money dangerous? Why do they pose such a hazard to eternal life? Because when we have them, they can insolate us from our own need for God. During the past year in our down turned economy we have learned anew that there is one God, and no other. So that leads us back to the first question: How is Christ asking everything -- of you and of me? It depends on your state of life. A married man with a family cannot go off to join the Trappists at Gethsemani, can he? Just this week, a former colleague was relating to me his conflict with a college administrator. [Are there no politics here at UK?] He wanted to quit and go off to some bucolic place in a more spiritual endeavor. I asked him if he had had glimmers from God about doing something like this. He said no. I reminded him that he and his spouse had just built a large house (and I assumed there was a large mortgage with it.) I also reminded him that his daughter, soon going off to college, would bring attendant tuition bills. So could he sell all he has -- literally? Is Christ asking this of him? Of course not! His station in life requires that he attend to his family responsibilities first.
    Can a single man or woman do this? Yes. You know I was faced this question at Berea College. I saw that I was free. I am an only child. My parents are dead. I had no strings on me. Still, it was difficult to give up all I had worked for professionally. It was difficult to sell the family home in Boston, too. It seemed “impossible.” Yet, I knew I lacked something. I wanted my life to be more.
    So where is ‘the more’ in your life? Where is Christ asking you to use your resources to become more? If you go away sad at this question, know that you are in good company! Christ does give the grace to entertain this question. Just ask for it, ‘plead’ for it as Wisdom directs today. In the fullness of time, you may know it and do it. Impossible, you say? Mark reminds us today: “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
    A. DeGiacomo