As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” Mark 10:17-31
Jesus was always straight forward with folks, and especially this rich young man. Yes, the man was faithful in his practices, yet his level of comfort and privilege kept him for heart of compassion and a life of sacrifice. The young man wanted an easy life of faith. We too, want an easy faith life. We don't want to be challenged about our privilege and our selfish ways. We don't like it when we have to share our abundance. And we don't like it when we are asked to humble ourselves and suffer for the sake of the Gospel. Yet, this is what our lives of faith truly demand. Among clergy, we sometimes get the notion that we are called to elevated positions because of our authority and training. Jesus speaks right to all of our overblown egos and our underwhelming humility. "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle." The eye of the needle may be a small gate into Jerusalem, but not matter. We all have things, to shed so that we might really follow Jesus.
A Sunday Litany
Gracious Creator, you make room for us all
whether we are poor and desperate for food
whether are lost, broken and truly overwhelmed
and even if we are comfortably and wealthy.
Lord Jesus, help us to always humbly serve the world in your name.
Yet we want to be a part of your kingdom
even when we oppress others with attitude
even when we do not share your abundance
and we selfishly think we should have it easy.
Lord Jesus, help us to always humbly serve the world in your name.
Help us to humble ourselves in this season
as the world turns cold let us provide warmth
when society turns the alien and different away
help us to open our arms to embrace the outcast.
Lord Jesus, help us to always humbly serve the world in your name.
You called the rich young man to sell his treasures
help us to share the treasure you have given us.
Lord Jesus, help us to always humbly serve the world in your name.
Despite all of our foolish failings and cruelties
you call us to return and welcome us again.
Lord Jesus, help us to always humbly serve the world in your name.
Make us your people as we serve the least
give us your love and joy as we give love away.
Lord Jesus, help us to always humbly serve the world in your name. Amen.
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