The Simple Life

The 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s Readings: Wis 7: 7-11; Ps 90; Heb 4: 12-13; Mk 10: 17-30

While I was driving from Penfield to Homer last Sunday, I turned on the radio to a talk show called “The Real Estate Insiders.” People call in with questions about their homes, mortgages, investment properties, refinancing and other real estate matters.

Is it just me, or does it seem that talk radio shows cut to commercials every 3 or 4 minutes? In the course of my 19-mile ride, I heard quite a few.

First, Donald Trump bragged about how rich and successful he is… and promised that he would personally teach you the secrets of accumulating great wealth if you come to his 3-hour workshop in one of the suburbs. They gave a special code so you could get in for $99.

At the next break, a man said that he was tired of slaving at a regular job and not getting anywhere. Now he easily makes $50,000 a month, and he gets to stay home with his 3-year-old daughter. He’ll send you all the information immediately if you call 1-800-SUCKERS.

And then, a woman was talking about an amazing earning opportunity that you can do part time from home. She made $1,200 the very first month, and within a very short time, she was making ten times that. For a DVD and no-obligation information kit, just call 1-866-YEAH-RIGHT.

What is it about oodles of money that makes us perk up? We all know that the bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil, but a fat bank account sure can make life nicer! You could buy a fancier house, a snazzier car, and great clothes… you could travel… you could be a philanthropist… and of course you could quit that dull day job.

I suppose there really are people who do hit the financial jackpot. It sounds like Jesus met one of them in the gospel today—the fellow known as the Rich Young Man. He sounds like a decent enough guy. He’s followed the Ten Commandments and has led an upstanding life. But he’s still got a question: What must I do to inherit eternal life?

That question always hits me when I go to a sick room to give Last Rites to someone who’s dying. Invariably, my eye roams around the room at all the “stuff”—all the person’s possessions. I have the thought that when the reaper, Jesus, Mary and the angels come to escort this soul to the next life, all the stuff stays behind. Why, you could even hitch up a little U-Haul to the casket, but the money and other possessions won’t be crossing into the hereafter. At that moment, I always remember the Lord’s admonition that we should set our hearts not on the things that will pass away but on the things that will last for eternity.

So: back to the wealthy man’s question… What must I do to inherit eternal life? How can we live forever?

Jesus and the fellow have a respectful conversation. When Jesus tells him he has to obey the Commandments, the man gives a sigh of relief. I’ve done all that! Anything else I need?

We’re told that the rich man’s face became very sad when he heard the Teacher’s answer. Jesus bluntly told him to give all his possessions to the poor, and then he would have treasure in heaven.

Interesting, isn’t it? This rich young man—and by the way, we don’t even know his name… I guess it could be any of us—received a personal invitation from Jesus to come and follow him. The man had great wealth but left this encounter saddened. All his money could not buy, barter or bribe God into giving him eternal life.

Does this parable mean that we’ve got to give away all our possessions before following Jesus as disciples? Not necessarily. But maybe, just maybe, there are possessions, wealth, relationships and even demands on our time that we worship and honor more than God in our lives. What might they be? Are they interfering with our life with Jesus Christ? What must I do to inherit eternal life? Salvation is free… but true discipleship is a lifetime of following Jesus… and this includes how we use our money.

Perhaps a slightly different way of trying to understand today’s lesson is this: if we want to follow Jesus… if we want to inherit eternal life… then we are called to a life of simplicity.

If we lust after money or use it wrongly, then things get complicated. Our loyalties get pulled in different directions. Instead of being single-minded in our devotion to God, we start to wiggle around. Shall I go to mass this morning or earn some sweet overtime at work? Should I use some of my funds to help a neighbor or just take care of me and my family? How about volunteering some of my time to a worthy cause? Or “Hey, I’m worth more than that—I should get paid for what I do.”

When you think about, you realize that Christ has taught us a lot about how we should use our gifts. Remember what he said about light and dark, giving and receiving, trust, contentment, faith… To approach discipleship with simplicity means that we are open to unity of heart and singleness of purpose. We have but one desire: to obey Christ in all things. Likewise, we have only one use for money: to advance his kingdom on earth.

So, what must I do to gain eternal life? Be a good person, and use your money and other gifts to advance the kingdom of God on earth.

Wow. That is simple!

Lord, teach us how to use our money for you. Give us generous hearts.