Our Possessions

“He replied and said to him, ‘Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.’ 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.’ At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.”  (Mark 10:20-22)

We don’t know how the story in today’s gospel ends. I’ve heard many priests in their homily speak about how the rich man chose his possessions over Christ, but we don’t know that. It just says that he went away sad. Maybe he just needed a little time to digest what Jesus was asking of him. He knew the Ten Commandments and he had been observing them from his youth. He desired to have eternal life, which is why he asked Jesus, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” We are the same way. We think we are on the right track, doing the things we have been taught. We follow the Commandments, live a life of charity, dedicate time for daily prayer, and receiving the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation frequently. But then God asks something of us that takes us off guard, he wants us to give up something that we cherish.  And like the rich man, we are sad that God is asking this of us and we need a little time to take it in.

The things that God is asking us to give up aren’t necessarily bad, things that are good can prevent us from completely surrendering to God. Maybe God has asked us to give up our dream of becoming a husband or wife and instead become a priest or religious. I’ve heard many priests share that when they first heard God calling them to the priesthood, they ignored God’s call. What God was asking of them wasn’t part of their plan for their life, and just like in today’s gospel, they were being called to give up something that they cherished, their dream. Maybe God is asking us to give up some of our possessions and trust Him when our spouse loses their job. Maybe we are being called to give up our habitual sin that we hold onto, or a relationship that we don’t want to let go of. We are all like the rich man in today’s gospel, we all cherish things that one day God will ask us to let go of and follow him, trust him completely. Last night, one of my patients died. God asked this single mother to let go of her youngest son whom she loved dearly. Her faith has been so strong through her son’s illness and impending death, praying for a miracle. But God’s perfect plan did not include her son being healed here on earth. And while she is devastated and heartbroken, she trusts the Lord. She let go of her precious son and continues to follow our Lord.