Gospel Eucharistic Reading for Sunday of Proper 23: Year B
“And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21)
I like Mark’s translation of this passage. It says, “Give to the poor.” Not, give “it” or “the” money to the poor, as in Matthew 19:21, and Luke 18:22. Mark is closest to the New Testament Greek as it does not use the article “it” or “the.” It makes a big difference. To give the money to the poor implies all the money. To just give to the poor leaves room to keep some for the journey of the mission of Jesus. Jesus depended on the contributions of donors to assist him and his followers as they carried out the Good News. This is not that God depends on human giving, but that God wants to know if we are fully on board in our proclaimed belief.
Freely, or joyfully giving to the Church and to the needy in our community demonstrates that the giver understands a cause or purpose greater than him or herself. “Jesus, looking at him, loved him.” This models for us that as we look upon another, we should look with love and compassion.
There is one other point of note in this reading. In all the Gospel accounts where this encounter occurs, Jesus invites this young rich man to “follow me.” We have written accounts of Jesus inviting the brothers John and James; and the brothers Simon Peter and Andrew on the shores of Galilee. And we have Jesus inviting Matthew (Levi) out of the tax booth to follow him. All of whom said yes and followed him. We could have had this rich man’s name had he said yes and followed. This is the only account where Jesus invites someone to follow him, and that person refuses. In any case, we discover that it was not that he had many possessions; but rather, many possessions had him. I pray that what we think we own, does not, in reality, own us.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: A Collect for Sundays (BCP p. 98)
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
onewhoponders 