Reflection on the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time [October 14, 2018] Mark 10:17-30

Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go…follow me.” (Mk. 10:21)

We discover at least three instances in the Bible in which Jesus explicitly expresses that He loves someone. The first instance is that Jesus loves the young rich man who seeks the eternal life (Mrk 10:21). The second is Jesus loves Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (Jn 11:5). The third is Jesus’ love for His disciples, especially His beloved disciple (Jn 13:34).

In these three accounts, Jesus’ love is not simply an emotional kind of affection. It is not the love that causes an adrenalin rush, heart’s palpitation, and an explosion of imagination. It is not fickle love that comes in the morning but dies in the afternoon. The love of Jesus is a love rooted in free will and firm decision. No wonder the Greek word used to describe this love is “agape.” Neither it is “eros,” an emotional and sexual love, nor “philia,” an affection for friends. St. Thomas Aquinas succinctly yet powerfully describes “love” as willing the good of the others. When Jesus loves them, Jesus freely chooses that the good things may happen in their lives even though this means Jesus has to forgo His own goodness and benefits. It is the tough love that entails giving up oneself, sacrifice and even pain. It is the love that thrives even when life has turned sour, and feelings have become bitter.

Going back to the story of the rich young man who asks Jesus on how to inherit the eternal life, he is basically a good guy. He has done a lot of good deeds and been faithful to God and the Law of Moses. Jesus Himself gives him score nine out of ten. Only one thing is still lacking. When Jesus invites the young man to sell what he has, to give them to the poor, and follow Jesus, the man goes away sad. Why? The Evangelist gives us the answer: he has many “ ktemata ,” landed properties. This guy is not ordinarily rich, but super rich. Perhaps, the young man thinks that eternal life is something that can be added to his properties, something that is acquired by doing good and avoiding evil or something that can make him even richer. Yet, this is not eternal life, but a mere shopping in the mall.

Eternal life is a gratuitous gift from God given to those whom He loves. This young man is truly blessed because Jesus loves him. The eternal life is just a step away from this good young man. Yet, though the gift is free, it is never cheap. Jesus wants the young man to follow Him because He wishes to teach the young man how to love like Him. Jesus wants him to will the good of the others, and this begins with selling his precious properties and helping the poor. Here comes again the paradox of love: unless we give ourselves for others, we never have ourselves fully. In the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it’s in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

I have been in the formation for more than 16 years, more than half of my life. I used to get frustrated because I have done well and fulfilled the requirements, and yet the ordination never comes. However, I realize that I was thinking like the rich young man. I forget that the vocation, as well as ordination, are gifts, not reward. This perspective frees me from my pride and makes me humble and grateful. Jesus loves me, and He loves me tough .

Jesus loves us and yet, it is not an easy and pampering love. It is tough love. It is love that challenges us to grow beyond; it is love that dares us to remain in truth, it is love that propels us to love like Jesus.

Br. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

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