19 August, Monday — A Richer Exchange

Aug 19 – Memorial for St. John Eudes, priest, religious founder

John Eudes (1601-1680) established seminaries, and founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary Eudists to promote virtuous secular parochial clergy not bound by vows, but dedicated to improving the clergy through seminaries and missions. He also founded the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity who worked for the welfare of penitent women. He was the author of the liturgical devotion of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

• Patron Saint Index

Ez 24:15-24
Mt 19:16-22

I have kept all these. What more do I need to do?

Are you going through a difficult season now? Do you sometimes feel that God is asking too much of you… and you find yourself either mumbling or wondering inside, “I have done so much, I have given so much already. What more do I need to do?”

The variety of hardships and challenges you and I face are so diverse. But one thing in common, is that when the chips are down, our true mettle and deepest truths come to the fore. How much do we trust in God and how much do we rely on His providence? At the same time, we will squarely confront how much we struggle to believe in God’s goodness, mercy and help.

I recall that in the book of Mark, the father of the demon-possessed boy who sought Jesus’ help in exorcism, said: “But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Upon hearing that, Jesus replied: Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:14-25).

We know that this father is desperate and he is also completely sincere, earnest, humbled, and trusting. He is ultimately saying to Jesus: I surrender everything to you in exchange for my son’s healing. I even surrender the last shred of my doubts! This is the extent of faith that is required of us in following God.

However, today’s Gospel reading of the wealthy young man who engaged Jesus and asked for the way to get into heaven, demonstrates the opposite of total surrender. While at first, he seemed earnest and sincere in seeking Jesus out for the ‘key’ to eternal life, we see that Jesus could sense the ‘holding back’ of the young man. What else was he holding back?

Jesus tested him. He listed the obvious and low-hanging fruits of the ten commandments — not all, but enough to derive that the young man was a typical upright guy in worldly terms. He did not commit the grave crime of murder; he was not adulterous nor a liar; he honoured his parents; and he at least loved his neighbour. Now that’s a lot already, isn’t it? At least, this list is enough to set any righteous person on a slightly more confident walk that heaven is not going to be too far-off.

“I have kept all these. What more do I need to do?” said the wealthy young man, who was clearly not a bad guy.

Well, the test for this wealthy young man was his love of money, and essentially, what he owned and his wonderful comfortable life in this world. It was this man’s fundamental worldliness that Jesus was wisely trying to get at. For his sake, and today, for ours.

How worldly are you? Jesus is asking us.

‘If you wish to be perfect, go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ (Mt 19:21). Jesus challenged him matter-of-factly. The operative word here is ‘perfect’. It also means ‘complete’. That is to say, if you wish to be 100% completely assured, then this is what you ought to do: give up what you own and be rid of your worldly attachments. Because these material treasures are hindering you from recognising and assessing your spiritual treasures.

As I contemplated these scriptures, I imagined how it might have worked out differently had the rich young man given a different response (like the father of the demon-possessed boy), despite his interior struggles.

“Lord, this is so hard. I want to give these all up; but help me to surrender better!” How gentle and merciful Jesus would be! Perhaps Jesus would have encouraged him that perfection is not an immediate fruit. To surrender is a growth process and one that needs baby steps to attain its perfection.

Indeed, perfection is unlikely attained this side of heaven! But the effort, the striving itself, becomes the pathway to becoming more spiritually perfect. As Jesus said on the Sermon on the Mount: “Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48)

We are always be-coming. We are always learning. We need much more help in giving up stuff. Let us never fear beginning again. Let us always ask Jesus to help us do the impossible. This includes becoming more perfect in our faith, even as we struggle with unbelief! May we exchange reluctance for riches in heaven!

(Today’s OXYGEN by Debbie Loo)

Prayer: Lord, this is so hard. I surrender; but help me with my reluctance!

Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, thank you for the perfect example of Mother Mary and your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for the amazing lives of Saints who did their best and more, but never ceased to seek your help and point to your mercy.