Dear Friends:

This Sunday we will hear the story of Jesus’ encounter with a wealthy young man who asks him “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Most of us know this story…and how it ends.  “Sell all your belongings,” Jesus says, “and follow me.”  And the man just walks away. 

Years ago, I thought that this rich young ruler (as the other gospels describe him), who claimed to follow all the commandments, do everything right, and had money to show for it, was simply testing Jesus…that he was an arrogant ‘bon vivant” who really wasn’t about to take an itinerant Rabbi seriously.  But now I read the story differently.  In Mark’s gospel, it’s clear that Jesus senses deep sincerity in the young man’s question, recognizes his seeking heart, and looks upon him with love. So much love, that he doesn’t leave the young man as he is but tells him the truth. 

“You lack one thing,” Jesus answers, “Go, sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” This startles the man so much that he doesn’t say another word but leaves grieving because he has many possessions. Or we could say, many of his possessions “have” him.

This story has been on my mind all week, as I ponder what it would have meant for this young man who considered his wealth a reward from God, not an obstacle standing between him and God.  How terrible, I’ve thought to myself, to be told that your best credential is in fact a liability and a burden.  How frightening to be told that what you cherish, your “one thing,” is never a blessing if you feel you need to hoard it. 

What would Jesus have said to me? What is my “one thing?” How about you?  Of all that keeps us from wholeheartedly following him, what most blocks us, gets in our way, and gives us grief? What do we possess that, in truth, possesses us? Likely it’s something good in right measure, but something we have come to depend upon, to identify with, something that causes us to forget who and whose we really are.

For some, this “one thing” may indeed have to do with material wealth, but for others, it might present itself in other disguises, such as being responsible, working hard, being loyal and well-liked, taking care of ourselves and our causes.  In other words, money is not the only sign of wealth.  Think of all we could include: our health, communities and families, education, engaging activities, our careers… What do you hold so sacred? What do I consider so untouchable? What do we least consider a potential obstacle in our relationship with God? What is the “one thing” we lack, the one thing that might cause us to walk away if God points it out to me and says, “Let it go?" 

I like to imagine that after a time the rich man in the gospel returned to Jesus, and Jesus helped him discover the wellspring he was looking for. I want to believe that by letting go of the stuff that had a hold on him, the man did learn to love and live more fully, and that we can, too.

In Christ,

Amelie+