"The only way to 'inherit' eternal life is to be the eldest son of the one who owns eternal life. Everyone else can only receive eternal life as a freely given gift from the owner."
Year B, Season of Pentecost
Proper 23, Ordinary Time 28
Sunday Between October 9 and October 15 Inclusive
19th Sunday After Pentecost 2009
Read the passage: The Message or The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
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Whereas last week I had to confess my conflict of interest in discerning the text was that I am divorced and re-married, this week I have to confess that I grew up relatively poor. Which of course means I am a completely neutral and impartial interpreter of Jesus' teachings about money (just kidding).
The text begins with a young man running up to Jesus, kneeling before him, and addressing him as "Good teacher." All 3 of these actions are done only by an inferior to a superior. And though they may not be meant as such, they are a challenge to Jesus' honour! How so?
So when the man runs up and publicly honours Jesus, Jesus honourably rejects such honourific behaviour. Which of course immediately demonstrates what a wise and honourable person Jesus is. And thereby, raises his standing in the eyes of all who witnessed this.
When Jesus rejects the display of honour by quoting a seemingly innocent common saying, "No one is good but God alone," anyone with a dollar in their pocket should know that this isn't going to end well. Because if God alone is good, then all other goods are something other than good.
The man's question, "What must I do to inherit eternal life," is also a warning.
Inherit? Inheritances were received by virtue of family relationships, and were of interest only to those with enough wealth to have goods that could be passed from one generation to another. The only way to "inherit" eternal life is to be the eldest son of the one who owns eternal life. Everyone else can only receive eternal life as a freely given gift from the owner. This man is off to a bad start just by the way he has framed the question.
Notice that Jesus responds by putting the ball back in the man's court, "YOU know the commandments ..."
And indeed, the man does know the commandments, and has kept them all since his youth. This is actually quite a remarkable claim. Kept them ALL? Since his youth? One wonders if the bystanders didn't started laughing out loud and rolling in the aisles at such a claim.
But Jesus looks at and loves him. Such a look. Such a love.
And Jesus sees "the one thing missing." Anyone who thinks they "inherit" eternal life has to join the family of God.
Now Jesus sometimes tells those who want to follow him to go home. And no where else does he tell those who want to follow him that they have to sell all their possessions. But Jesus has looked at and loved this man, and has seen the one thing missing for him: putting aside all other goods for the One who alone is good.
Apparently Jesus hits the place of emptiness in this man, for he is shocked and leaves in grief.
Such a good teacher. If we imagine Jesus looking at and loving us, I wonder what is the "one thing missing" he would see. And what is it that he would ask us to do in order to finally be fully following him? Good questions.
In Verses 23-31, note that the disciples are as shocked as the man at Jesus' teachings. And note that although it is difficult and hard, it is not impossible for those with wealth to enter the Kingdom of God; and that while the first may be last, they are not tossed out of the line.
David Ewart,
www.davidewart.ca
* Link to Amazon.com Bibliography for Bruce Malina, et. al., Social Science Commentary on ... The Synoptic Gospels; The Gospel of John; The Book of Acts; The Letters of Paul; The Book of Revelation; and others.
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