One Thing!

Monday, May 27, 2024

1 Pt 1:3-9; Mk 10:17-27

Today’s Gospel contains many insights for Christian discipleship.

At first, the rich man is certainly a seeker. His question, ‘What must I do?’ captures the inner longing of every human. This is why he asks a question that probably everyone asks within themselves.

Secondly, insofar as he is sincere, he seems to lack the will to actualize his heart’s desire. He did well to observe the commandments from his youth. However, if detachment from his possessions was an absolute demand to follow the Lord, he could not think of parting with them. His attachment to his possessions spoils his quest to be the Lord’s disciple. 

Thirdly, Jesus’ statement on rich people’s inability to enter God’s Kingdom does not have to do with the denial of God’s mercy. In fact, their richness itself is a blessing from God. Rather, their attachment to their wealth explains their reluctance. 

Finally, we should note the attitude of Jesus himself. Jesus loved the man. And Jesus wants him to push further. It appears that the rich man wanted to follow the Lord from the comfort of his richness and wealth and not in the absence of it. When Jesus highlights the incompatibility between the two, the man, who comes across to us as a seeker, fails. Jesus does not encourage a lukewarm attitude. Instead, he wants us to rise up to who we are really capable of becoming. 

Like the man, we may be seekers too. But we may lack that ‘one thing.’ 

What is the one thing that still impedes our committed discipleship? 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar