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Morning Devotion for the Season after Pentecost
August 19, 2024
The Invitatory
The earth is the Lord’s for he made it: O come, let us adore him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 19:16-22
Then someone came to him and said, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these; what do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Meditation: Jo Ann B. Jones
The young woman in me, whom I do remember fondly, now shrinks somewhat in embarrassment at the naiveté of the rich young man in the request that he makes. (This story appears in the synoptic Gospels, but only in Matthew’s Gospel is the man also described as young and only in Luke is he described as a ruler.) How very human for us - to create a composite picture of these particulars of these descriptions. The other point of interest is the ways in which Jesus’ question is posed. Mark and Luke write the question in this fashion: “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.” On the other hand, Matthew’s phrasing of the question is: Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good.”
I have wrestled with whether this young rich man is innocent, naive, or very taken with what he believes his wealth provides for him, particularly in terms of religion. It seems he stands upon one or all these aspects of his life in asking the question, “What must I do to have eternal life?” One wonders, what does he truly seek: happiness, satisfaction, peace with God? But his question belies his understanding. The answer does not lie in action but in grace.
The correction offered is to consider his faithfulness to the commandments, particularly those which refer to personal relationships and how one regards one’s fellow men. He replies that he has but when Jesus further challenges him to sell all that he has and give it to the poor, he balks. It seems that his attitude towards his fellow man reflects his selfishness. The young man is so tied to his possessions that nothing less than a surgical removal from them would free him. If one regards one’s possessions as one’s solely for one’s comfort and convenience, then one is not in a position to assist another.
And this points to the true meaning of this parable : the meaning of eternal life. This is life such as God lives. We might regard this as life that has no end. It means, rather, that it is life that befits God or is characteristic of God. The great characteristic of God is that he so loved that he gave. The essence of eternal life is not found in keeping track of adherence to rules, but rests on an attitude of loving and extravagant generosity to humankind. Leading such a life would yield happiness, satisfaction, peace of mind and serenity. Tragically, the young man of this parable loved his possessions more and he loved himself more than others.
All might not be lost. If this young man should take Jesus’ words to heart then through his keeping of the commandments together with seeking God’s direction and support he might be deeply touched by God’s grace - so touched that his perception of live and obedience to the commandments are altogether changed This may, in turn, alter his dependence upon and prioritizing of and love for his possessions. The hope is for this young man and for us all.
Prayer
God of small beginnings,
you bring strength out of weakness
and hope out of fear.
By the power of your Spirit
makes us, your children, followers and partners
in the grand design of your kingdom of love,
rooted and revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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