28th Sunday of OT (B)

Detach and be free MARK 10:17–30

A friend of mine insists that all her problems will be solved if only she could win the lotto! The other day my cellphone promised me cash if I would call 3456. It was hard to resist the offer. Finally I pressed delete!

We all are attached to possessions which constitute our riches. Jesus looked steadily at the rich young man whom He loved. He loves us and really wants to free us but He understands how hard it is to let go.

Why is it so hard? For one thing, when we are rich, we live in fear of losing what we have. We add burglar proofing and security cameras to protect our hard-earned property.

Sometimes we suspect even the members of our family of wanting what we have. We don’t know who our real friends are. Are those who surround us when we can pay for drinks our real friends or are they just there to sponge on us?

How much is enough? How can we get a balance in our lives between need and greed?

Nothing is impossible. Jesus gives us hope. There are billionaires like Bono and Bill Gates and his wife who are using their wealth to feed the poor and alleviate disease.

There are local people who do the same. There are artistes who are responding to requests of those who need money to pursue their education.  Trinidadians gave generously to Dominica and all affected by disasters.

Jesus is challenging us to let go of our attachments—whether it is our smartphone, our computer or our sneakers! He is offering us freedom in order to follow Him more closely. With that freedom comes joy. We can choose to continue to be enslaved by our possessions. The choice is ours.

Will we go the way of St Francis of Assisi, one of the few saints who took the radical option? Too hard! But at least we can begin the process of emptying our cupboards of all that we do not use anymore. Deal or no deal!

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, we want to follow You. We do not want to walk away sad. Give us the courage to let go of the things which are enslaving us so that we can enter into the kingdom of joy and freedom. This prayer we make in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Gospel Meditations for October are by Sr Annette Chow of the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny.

By Sr Annette Chow SJC