God's grace and eternal life - Homily, 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time – Cycle B– 10/11/15

         What must I do to inherit eternal life? This is the question that Jesus was asked by the man in the Gospel today.   Jesus’ response was very direct: Sell all you have and give to the poor and then follow me.  Did Jesus’ answer make any of you a little uncomfortable? I’ll have to admit it did make me feel a bit uncomfortable.  I’ve got a nice house, cars, and money saved up for retirement for my wife and I and college savings for my son.   Is Jesus asking me to give up all that I have in order to follow him?

         The man in the story was too attached to his possessions, and Jesus knew that. His possessions were more important than following God. He was greedy and wasn’t willing to share his possessions with God or others.  His possessions possessed him. That’s why Jesus asked him to sell all to give to the poor. Unfortunately the man was unwilling to give up his possessions, and went away sad.

         Is this passage one that we all need to take literally?   Do we need to sell everything we have and give to the poor?   Maybe a few are called to do so, but most of us have our families to take care of.  We need to earn and save money and own some things for the well being of our families and dedicate some to take care of the poor.   Some of us may own businesses and need resources to maintain and grow so we can provide goods, services, and employment that helps others.  If we’ve been blessed with abundant resources it’s ok, as long as we put some of them to good use in helping others.  But we need to ask: are there things in our lives that possess us that keep us from following Jesus?  

         Our possessions can make it very hard to enter the kingdom of God.   We can become too reliant on our own resources and abilities and feel like we don’t need to depend on God.  We may be totally focused on keeping up with Joneses: getting a bigger house, buying a new car, or wearing the latest fashions and not to concerned about our relationship with God. We may be too involved in our job, leisure activities, or have habits that prevent us from fully following Jesus. We can make these “things” our “god” and be possessed by them.

         Jesus tells us that it’s hard to enter the kingdom of God for those who have wealth.   How hard is it? It would easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.   Wow.  This sounds impossible to do.  I guess none of us will make it into God’s kingdom if we have to rely on our own capabilities.   But Jesus tells us that, “with God all things are possible”. 

         He’s telling us that if we put God first in our life, IT WILL be possible to enter God’s kingdom.  The only way we will be able to do this is through God’s grace.  There’s not anything we can do on our own to inherit eternal life.  It’s a gift that only God can give.  By having a relationship with Jesus and following him it will open us up to God’s grace.  But we need to make a commitment to put Jesus first in our life and follow him.

         One way to follow Jesus is to simplify our lives.  We have too many distractions in our busy lives. We have a model to follow in living a simpler life and putting God first by a few men named Francis: Our patron St. Francis, and Pope Francis.  St. Francis lived a life of wealth and luxury in his younger days, but was called to give up all to live a life of radical poverty serving the poor in whom he saw Jesus.    He publicly relinquished all of his family wealth and even gave away his clothing relying on the providence of God. Eight centuries later his way of life continues with tens of thousands Franciscan religious and many more laypersons following his simple way of life. 

         Pope Francis has called us to live more simply in his recent encyclical, “Laudato Si.” He warns us not to fall into the consumerism mentality of the culture.  We don’t always need to have the latest smart phone or newest car.  It’s better for us to be consumed with a relationship with God rather than always wanting more. 

         If we give up what possesses us and follow Jesus what will we get?   Jesus tells us that we will receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brother and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.   How is this so? Through our brothers and sisters in Christ, which is all of you here.  Through our numerous church, schools, hospitals, and charitable ministries throughout the world. 

         Jesus added that persecutions are to be expected as well.  It may be a simple as being mocked at work or school for our beliefs, or it could be as serious as being forced from our homes and country like many of the refugees in the Middle East.  Even though we may be persecuted we need to remember that Jesus said we’d also receive eternal life in the age to come.

         Is there something keeping you from following Jesus?  Are your possessions getting in the way? Is there some habit or activity that keeps you from putting Christ first in your life?  If so why not make a commitment to change.   If you’re struggling to do this, don’t rely on yourself.  Pray for God’s grace to help.   Reach out to your brothers and sisters in Christ and ask them for support.  If Christ is first in your life offer thanks to God and pray for the grace to keep the relationship strong.  As we continue Mass lets offer thanks to God for grace we receive through Eucharist and for help it provides to put Christ first in our lives. God bless you.