This episode, recorded in Mark 10:17–31, raises questions about discipleship, wealth, and the true cost of following Christ.
For Catholics, it is a passage that challenges our values and compels us to reflect on our own lives and priorities.
The Encounter
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him. “Good Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
This earnest question reveals the man’s desire for something beyond the material wealth he possesses. He is searching for eternal life, a deeper sense of purpose, and a relationship with God.
Jesus responds by listing the commandments that deal with human relationships: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.”
The man replies confidently that he has kept all these commandments since his youth. He appears to be a model of moral rectitude and piety.
However, Jesus perceives a deeper issue. He looks at the man with love and says, “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.”
This directive strikes at the heart of the man’s identity and security. His wealth, which he has always seen as a blessing, is now presented as an obstacle to his spiritual growth.
The Challenge of Wealth
The man’s reaction is one of sorrow. He goes away grieving because he has many possessions. Jesus then turns to His disciples and makes a profound statement: “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples are astonished, as wealth was commonly seen as a sign of God’s favour.
Jesus elaborates, “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.”
This imagery is stark and hyperbolic, underscoring the immense difficulty for the wealthy to enter God’s kingdom. It challenges the assumption that material prosperity is an indicator of divine blessing. Instead, it suggests that wealth can become a significant hindrance to spiritual fulfilment and the pursuit of God’s kingdom.
The Disciples’ Concern
The disciples, bewildered by Jesus’ words, ask, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looks at them and replies, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”
This response highlights the necessity of divine grace in the salvation process. Human effort alone is insufficient to attain eternal life; it requires the transformative power of God’s grace.
Peter, always quick to speak, points out, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus assures him that anyone who has left houses, family, or fields for His sake and for the sake of the Gospel will receive a hundredfold in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields—and in the age to come, eternal life. However, He also adds, “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Reflecting on Our Own Lives
This passage invites us to examine our own relationship with wealth and material possessions.
As Catholics, we are called to live out the Gospel values in our daily lives.
The young man’s struggle is a mirror for our own potential attachments and the things that might hinder our full commitment to following Christ.
Identifying Our Attachments: Like the rich young man, we may find that we have attachments that prevent us from fully embracing our faith.
These attachments might not be limited to material wealth. They could include status, career ambitions, personal relationships, or other forms of security that we prioritise over our relationship with God.
It is essential to identify these attachments and reflect on how they impact our spiritual journey.
Generosity and Charity: Jesus’ instruction to the young man to sell his possessions and give to the poor underscores the importance of generosity and charity in Christian life. Catholic social teaching emphasises the preferential option for the poor, reminding us that we have a duty to support and uplift those in need.
Practising charity is a concrete way of detaching from material wealth and aligning our lives with Gospel values.
Trusting in God’s Providence: The young man’s sorrowful departure reveals a lack of trust in God’s providence. He cannot envision a secure future without his wealth. As Catholics, we are called to trust that God will provide for our needs.
This trust enables us to live more freely and generously, knowing that our ultimate security lies in God’s love and care.
Embracing Sacrifice: Following Christ often requires sacrifice. The disciples left everything to follow Jesus, and we too might be called to make significant sacrifices in our lives. These sacrifices, while challenging, are pathways to deeper communion with God and greater freedom from worldly attachments.
Living Counter-culturally: Jesus’ teachings often run counter to societal values that prioritise wealth, power, and success.
As Catholics, we are called to live counter-culturally, embracing values that may seem foolish to the world but are wise in the eyes of God. This might mean making choices that prioritise spiritual growth and service over material gain and social status.
The Role of Grace
Jesus’ assertion that salvation is impossible for mortals but possible for God highlights the central role of grace in our spiritual lives. Our efforts, while important, are not sufficient on their own.
We rely on God’s grace to transform our hearts and enable us to live out the radical demands of the Gospel.
This grace is available to us through the sacraments, prayer, and our relationship with the Church community.
The Sacraments: The sacraments are tangible signs of God’s grace at work in our lives. Through Baptism, we are initiated into the Christian life.
In the Eucharist, we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, nourishing our souls and strengthening our commitment to follow Him.
Reconciliation offers us the grace of forgiveness and the opportunity to recommit to our spiritual journey. These sacraments sustain us and provide the grace we need to live out the Gospel.
Prayer: Prayer is our lifeline to God, a means of communicating our needs, desires, and struggles. Through prayer, we open ourselves to God’s transformative grace, allowing Him to work in our hearts and guide our actions.
Regular prayer helps us remain attuned to God’s will and strengthens our resolve to follow Christ faithfully.
Community: The Church community plays a crucial role in our spiritual lives. It provides support, encouragement, and accountability as we strive to live out the Gospel.
Engaging with our parish community, participating in small faith groups, and serving others through parish ministries are ways to remain connected to the Body of Christ and receive the grace that comes from communal life.
Practical Steps to Live Out This Teaching
Living out the teaching of Mark 10:17–31 requires intentionality and practical steps. Here are some suggestions for how we might incorporate these lessons into our daily lives:
Regular Examination of Conscience: Periodically reflect on your life and identify any attachments or behaviours that hinder your relationship with God. The Examen, a spiritual practice developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola, can be a helpful tool in this process.
It involves reviewing your day, acknowledging God’s presence, expressing gratitude, recognising failures, and seeking God’s grace for improvement.
Acts of Generosity: Commit to regular acts of generosity and charity. This could include donating a portion of your income to charitable organisations, volunteering your time and skills to serve others, or simply offering support and kindness to those around you.
Acts of generosity help detach us from materialism and cultivate a spirit of compassion.
Simplify Your Life: Consider ways to simplify your lifestyle. This might involve decluttering your home, reducing unnecessary expenses, or making choices that prioritise spiritual growth over material accumulation.
Simplicity fosters a sense of freedom and allows for greater focus on what truly matters.
Engage in Spiritual Practices: Incorporate spiritual practices into your daily routine. This could include attending daily Mass, praying the Rosary, engaging in Lectio Divina, or participating in Eucharistic Adoration.
These practices nurture your relationship with God and keep you grounded in your faith.
Seek Spiritual Guidance: Consider seeking guidance from a spiritual director or a trusted mentor. They can offer insights, support, and accountability as you strive to live out the teachings of Christ. Regular spiritual direction can help you navigate challenges and deepen your spiritual life.
The story of the rich young man in Mark 10:17–31 is a profound and challenging passage that calls us to examine our lives and priorities.
As Catholics, we are invited to reflect on our attachments, practise generosity, trust in God’s providence, embrace sacrifice, and live counter-culturally.
While the demands of discipleship are great, we are not alone in this journey. God’s grace, available through the sacraments, prayer, and our community, empowers us to follow Christ faithfully.
In a world that often values wealth, success, and power, Jesus’ call to sell our possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him is a radical and counter-cultural message. It challenges us to rethink our values and align our lives with the Gospel.
As we strive to live out this teaching, let us remember that with God, all things are possible.
Through His grace, we can overcome our attachments, live generously, and ultimately inherit the eternal life that we seek.
What would you have done?
I know what I would have done...