Of all the Gospel passages we read in our three-year lectionary cycle today’s story challenges the consumerist air we breathe like no other. What does it take for humans to really let go of that compulsion to acquire the goods of the earth whatever the cost to others, the health of the planet or even our own health and equilibrium? The story lets us know the abuse of wealth and power has plagued human societies far longer than any of us have been alive. 2,000 years ago the problem of wealth vs. poverty was as real as it is today. The belief that prosperity is a sign of God’s favor has clearly been around for a very long time. What does discipleship require of us if not, at least, a willingness to confront the cultural expectation that we consume more and more of the goods that surround us in order to drive the engine of our national economy? What does a disciple of Jesus do with his instruction to “sell what you have and give to the poor, then come and follow me?” And if we do take Jesus’ words seriously then what does discipleship in this time, in our lives, look like? Let’s say we actually disengage from those things that provide a sense of security and safety and a feeling of control over our lives. Where does that leave us? There is something so countercultural in Jesus’ invitation to the youth in today’s Gospel that it was countercultural even in Jesus’ time 2,000 years ago!
The earth is so rich in its offerings to both our senses and our innate human psychology that few of us can turn our backs on playing in this field. We grasp at, compete for, store up and hoard its resources both for pleasure and for our ego’s need to set and achieve goals, to stand out, to shine. Then Jesus comes along and challenges us to give all this up, inviting us to join him on the inner road that leads to Wisdom. He asks us to let go of everything distracting us from that path. So maybe we look around at the lovely things we’ve accumulated, maybe try on the idea of joining him on the bleak road he seems committed to, and just can’t find it in our hearts to leave everything we feel like we ‘own’ behind. Like the youth, we really want to be in his company and trust he knows the way to the heart of God. Part of us may even resonate with those words we heard earlier from the Book of Wisdom, “I valued Wisdom more than I valued power, wealth, etc.” But the pragmatic, culturally entrenched, physical self recoils from what seems a leap into the abyss.
Standing on that dusty road, having done our best all these years do the right thing, we meet those loving eyes that look directly into ours. Jesus sees something there, something that motivates him to ask us to join his little group. He doesn’t ask this of everyone he meets. Many he heals and sends on their way. But here we are and he’s reaching out a hand! There’s just one little thing we must do, he says. Sell everything and give to the poor. Let go of those old bedraggled concepts that wealth will keep you safe and make you happy. Give up the old ties to a system that has nothing to do with God and everything to do with acquiring goods and advancing personal comfort and safety. The God of Scripture always stands on the side of the poor, the least favored, the broken, those who beg for healing. God’s living and effective word exposes the lie of the so-called ‘prosperity gospel’ in favor of alignment with the ‘nothings’ of this world.
As we stand here on this seemingly barren road today, recognizing the voice of our brother and seeing that radiant wisdom in his tender gaze, we have a choice to make. Jesus looks into the heart of our youthful mindset and understands the dilemma. How hard it is to turn away from the rather enjoyable occupation of ‘getting and spending’ and even the drudgery of protecting those accumulated things. How hard it is to give full attention to what you can’t see and touch but can only experience in the depth of your soul—that sense of attunement with the heart of God, that realization of true freedom unencumbered by the world’s lucrative but ultimately empty ‘wealth/power’ game. That has been and continues to be the major stumbling block on the road of spiritual growth and transformation for groups, societies, cultures and, of course, individuals. The ‘three temptations of Christ’ point that out in stark relief—the temptation to power, wealth and glory Satan proposed to Jesus in the arid desert. These are the perennial temptations.
We are all young disciples. We come face-to-face with Jesus’ invitation with all the fervor and energy of youth, hoping to find a way that doesn’t require too much sacrifice, a way that uses our gifts, feels satisfying and increases both our reputation and our self-esteem. It is so human, so young. And Jesus just looks at us with love. Giving up that acquisitive habit would feel a lot like dying. Is it fear of death that causes us to surround ourselves with so many things, to embrace distractions that numb our minds and help us forget Jerusalem is up ahead? What happens if, instead, we allow ourselves to pursue that deeper Wisdom Jesus offers? He tells us we need to let go of our attachments and all of our distractions—those things that keep us floating of the surface of life.
Mature faith is able to do what youth cannot. It takes maturity to eliminate those things and attitudes that tether us to the thin outer layer of human life and prevent us from diving into the depths where God’s Spirit is alive and free within us, creative and joyous. This is today’s challenge. We can go away, crestfallen and sad like the youth. Or we can find the maturity to say ‘yes’; I will follow you on that dusty road. Your words resonate with me, but they also challenge everything I’ve learned and everything I know. It may take time for me to detach, but I’m coming. I choose Wisdom. Since nothing is impossible to you, please show me the way.
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