As October peaks this weekend, I am reminded that there are seven weeks left in our liturgical year. Sunday, December 2nd marks the beginning of Advent, and these remaining weekends give us continued messages from the Gospel of Mark that will help us reflect on some of the most important tenets of our faith. These tenets are clarified by Jesus in Mark’s Gospel as concomitant with the physical journey Jesus shares with his disciples to Jerusalem. This symbolizes the spiritual journey that we all share into eternity.
For example, this weekend we hear of an encounter between Jesus and a rich young man. As we have stated before, people who asked Jesus a question in the scriptures always seem to embark on a challenging and even dangerous path. The young man’s question seems simple enough. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Inherit is an interesting word choice, as if he doesn’t intend to earn eternal life. Do we rely too much on inheriting eternal life and not demonstrate that we want to work for it?
Jesus answers in a equally simplistic manner, “You know the commandments.” And he restates them. The young man assures Jesus that he has observed them from his youth. As I continue this reflection I would like you to ask you the same questions that were asked of the rich young man. He claims to have observed the commandments. I wonder if Jesus picked up on the possibility that the young man needed to do more than just observe the commandments. Did he integrate them into his life? Was observing the commandments something he did in the past, since his youth to this present day? Is he lacking a commitment to integrate the commandments into his life in the future?
Is Jesus challenging the young man to look at the commandments as a high bar and not a low bar? Is the young man’s approach similar to a check list that he does as he steps over a low bar of observing the commandments out of obligation? Is Jesus challenging him to look at the higher bar of living the commandments as an ongoing spiritual exercise, one that can lift him up and urge him to grow in his faith?
Is the young man able to use the literal words of the commandments as a spring board to build his life around the classic values expressed by the commandments, such as the singularity of God’s identity, the importance of full love of God, the sanctity of God’s name, the sacredness of communal worship, the wisdom of our elderly, the sanctity of human life, the intimacy of our commitments, our loyalty to the truth, our respect for other peoples’ property and other peoples’ commitments, focusing on caring for what we have and not desiring what others have?
Jesus then conveys a very loving concern for the young man (the passage says Jesus loved him) and then he points out that the man is lacking one thing which, in fact, is several things. This emphasizes the challenge of asking Jesus a question. The answers that Jesus gives always seem to be filled with more. They always challenge the spiritual and religious imagination of the askers. In a very real way Jesus commissions/invites the young man into a spiritual process.
He challenges him to:
- Go sell all your possessions
- Give to the poor, and
- Follow me.
As we heed the challenges of this passage, let us realize how fundamental the commandments are and how significant constant, regular reflection on them is to our continued faith development. It might be nice to memorize the commandments, but more important to seek the fullest spirit of the commandments.
Hospitality
Hospitality and welcoming are pillars of our mission here at Holy Family. From our warm welcome to newcomers and visitors to our regular Narthex hospitality, children, teens, young adults and seniors have shared the vibrant spirit of Holy Family Catholic Community. Tasty snacks, coffee, juice and other goodies are significant in extending our spirit before and after Masses on the weekends. There are several teams of parishioners who share this simple yet important ministry. We are in need of more hospitality ministers to bolster our welcoming efforts. Please consider becoming a minister of Hospitality by joining an existing team or creating your own. Perhaps you could do it as a family or with members of your ministry or group. Contact Sue Geegan at 847-907-3443 or sgeegan@holyfamilyparish.org.