28thSunday in Ordinary Time [B]

October 13, 2024

Mark 10:17-30

The Church understands the story of Jesus and the rich man as one of the biblical foundations of vocation to consecrated life. Yet, what is consecrated life? How does this story become an inspiration for us?

The consecrated life is a radical way of life to follow Jesus. In our present time, we quickly recognize these men and women as people who wear religious habits, remain celibate (unmarried), and live inside communities like monasteries or convents. The word ‘consecrate’ here means to be separated or set aside for a particular purpose. The men and women are consecrated because they are ‘separated’ to love God more radically. But why do they have to live this kind of life? To answer this, we need to look closely at the story of Jesus and the rich man.

A man recognized that something fundamental was lacking in his life. When Jesus was coming, his heart knew that Jesus knew the answer. He rushed to Jesus and asked Him how to inherit eternal life. Jesus pointed out the commandments, especially those related to the love of neighbors (do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, and honor your parents). Immediately, the man told Jesus he had been faithful to these laws. Jesus, then, looked at him intently and loved him for his courage to approach Him. Jesus knew that man had never broken the commandments, but he had also not fulfilled the first and most important commandment, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might (Deu 6:5).”

However, Jesus did not just say this truth plainly but rather reformulated it into something more concrete and radical: “You shall love Me (Jesus) with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might!”  This call is radical because it required the man to abandon all that he had and walk with Jesus on His way to the cross. It is radical because Jesus’ invitation goes against the prevalent understanding of that time that to be rich is a sign of God’s blessing (see Deut 28:1–14; Prov 10:22). This is radical because all our time, energy, attention, indeed our lives, are for Jesus.

This man never killed or stole, perhaps went to synagogue every Sabbath, and occasionally went to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the Temple. But, deep inside, he was called to love God totally. Yet, when Jesus offered him the opportunity, he shied away because he had many possessions. Will this man be condemned? Indeed, he will not be punished and will remain the inheritor of eternal life. But he also cannot fulfill his deepest desire to love God radically.

In the present time, this radical following of Jesus manifests in men and women who totally give themselves to Jesus and the Church. These men and women do not get married, so their time may be devoted to prayers and service. They work or receive money not to be rich but simply to support their lives and ministry. Finally, they freely give up their freedom to love God and His people. Yet, the Church understands this vocation is not for everyone.

Rome

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Questions for reflections:

Do we love God totally and radically? Do we love God first, or do we love ourselves first? What hinders us from loving God? Money, wealth, professions, fame, hobby, or other things? Are we called into the consecrated life? Are we ready to answer yes to Jesus’ calling?