Nowadays, such questions are considered too ’deep’ or ‘heavy’, and most feel that politics and religion shouldn’t be discussed in polite circles. The clergy and those who work in church related roles have often swallowed the ‘black humour pill’ and teasing is commonplace for anyone who is perceived as being ‘too intense’ or who ‘takes things too seriously’ by simply asking a question about faith or life. This attitude is to our detriment because in avoiding these topics we are avoiding the fundamental and vital issues of life on earth.
The ancient world did not suffer from any such reticence, as we witness in today’s Gospel. The rich young man – clearly focused on obtaining eternal life – approaches the very One who can give it, and reveals that, although he is committed to keeping the Ten Commandments, he is unable to renounce his possessions. His departure from Jesus is one of the most moving and poignant moments in the New Testament, as he was brought face to face with his inability to relinquish that which prevented him from entering into the eternal life he longed for.
Thomas à Kempis said: ‘For small reward a man will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life many will hardly take a single step.’ Today’s Gospel story also illustrated that the moral life, while noble, falls far short of the life of grace. Although the rich young man honoured the law, he lacked the insight to understand that his heart was not right with God and only Jesus could set him free. Jesus – who came to redeem and save sinners – in the One who gives eternal life. As Paul so eloquently said to Timothy, our goal is to ‘Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good profession in the presence of many witnesses.
