Reflection: Mark 10:17-27

Mark 10:17-27 – Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary time

Now that we have celebrated the feast of Pentecost, we return to “Ordinary Time.” The Gospel that begins Ordinary time for us is the story of the man who comes to Jesus and asks him: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Rather than answering the man’s question, Jesus asks the man a question. Jesus asks him: “Why do you call me good? Only God alone is good!” Jesus is a bit abrupt with the man. He then tells him: “You know the commandments! Do what the commandments tell you.”

However, the young man is not satisfied. He tells Jesus that he has followed the commandments since he was a young child. The young man longs to do more than to simply follow the commandments. He yearns for something deeper. Mark writes: “Jesus looked at the man and loved him!” What a powerful and yet tender statement! Clearly, this young man wished to give his “all” to God and to wholeheartedly live out the commandments of God.

Jesus is surprised by this young man’s deep and sincere desire. Jesus’ heart was instantly filled with love for this young man who hungered so deeply for God. Jesus had not experienced this depth of desire with many people.

In response to the young man’s question, Jesus tells him that he is lacking in one thing. He tells him to sell all his belongings, give the money to the poor and then come and follow him. This was not the response that the young man was hoping for. When he begins to comprehend what Jesus is saying, the man is stupefied. Yes, he wants to follow Jesus. However, to give away all his belongings, to leave his family and his friends and become an itinerant follower of Jesus? The “price” of following Jesus is far too steep! And eventually the young man walked away from Jesus sad and dismayed.

What about us? Are we willing to give up everything we have to follow Jesus? At times, the “cost” of following Jesus simply is too high. We would have to leave behind what we have struggled to build and secure. Are we open to letting it go and trusting that Jesus will provide for us?

It can be easy to say we will follow Jesus when the path is straight and smooth. However, if the path is rugged and challenging or if we have to divest ourselves of what is important or valuable to us, we may not be as willing to say yes to Jesus’ invitation. Yes, following Jesus is our desire. However, how great is our desire? Are we willing to “give our all” to Jesus? I pray we are!