Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,  

 

"You are lacking in one thing.  

Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; 

then come, follow me."  

 

At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

 

Mark's Gospel from this Sunday

 

 

Dear Community of Saint Joseph;

 

Many years ago now I had a very generous friend who had shown me extraordinary kindness over the years of our friendship.  On one particular encounter she admired an art object I possessed in such a way that I knew immediately it would be an excellent gift to give her.  

 

However.

 

I could not let go of the object.  It was not valuable but it was something I loved and could not imagine living without.  I knew what pleasure it would ultimately bring to my friend but ...........  I could never seem to release it.  "Perhaps later," I would console myself.  But I worried that the art piece might be damaged or destroyed before I was ready to give it to her and I was tormented by my selfishness.  

 

In this Sunday's Gospel we hear the story of a rich young man and his encounter with Jesus.  He is a wise, learned young man and ready to follow Jesus and yet he cannot let go of his riches and his reluctance forces him to miss the ultimate opportunity of his life.  

 

I suspect we all have something we are reluctant to let go of.  Some object, some money, some grudge, some sin that we hold on to because we are afraid to let it go.  Like the rich young man, we miss the freedom and the possibilities that await us on the other side of that release.  This week I would like you to consider the things that you are holding onto.  In the end, everything we possess is meant to be shared: knowledge, material possessions, forgiveness, faith, hope, shelter, food.  The true value of all these things is to be found in giving them away.  The art piece I thought to be so essential is now packed in a box and I have no idea where.  Had I given it to my friend it would have been transformed into an expression of my love and appreciation.  When I visited my friend's home it could have become a symbol of my gratitude for our friendship.  In the same way when you release your anger, judgment, narrow mindedness and greed, these horrors are transformed into hope, peace and love.  

 

What point of view, what sin, what thing are you holding onto right now?

What is so precious that it would prevent you from following Jesus?

 

My advice is just let it go .......... and be free, 

finally-