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Just before the passage from Matthew’s gospel we have just heard proclaimed, are the verses that tell the story of the rich young man who wants to know what to do to possess everlasting life. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments. He says he already does that, and Jesus then replies to him “Sell what you have, give to the poor, and then follow Me.” And the fellow goes away sad because he just can’t do it. Then Jesus talks to his disciples, tells them that this “letting go” won’t be easy, but all things are possible with God, which brings us to the verses selected for us today.
We heard Peter speaking up and saying “We’ve already left everything and followed you. What then will there be for us?” Poor Peter, “What’s in this for us??” And Jesus, very likely shaking his head, assures Peter and the others…you have my word…you’ll have a place near me when the new age comes. That image of twelve thrones, significant for these men, who were familiar with Jewish tradition, was to make their heavenly reward clear for them. But is the message clear for us?
What Jesus said was: “Everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will be repaid a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.” How literal are we to take that? Only those who are that strong, and completely detached will inherit eternal life?? Over the years I have thought about this and, I have to admit, struggled with it. It seems to me that Jesus is saying that everyone who has recognized that the greatest treasure in one’s life is God and so has given up…let go…of what is thought to be important here on earth, has gotten her or his priorities straight.... these are the ones who will receive much more and inherit life everlasting.
Now some might generalize, and read more literally here. They may interpret this passage as describing men and women in religious orders, indicating that they have “left all things”. They are the ones assured of inheriting life everlasting. But surely that wouldn’t make any sense …that THESE only will inherit the kingdom?
That would be so different from what we know of Jesus’ teachings! I’d venture to say that none of us Sisters here has really given up many of the things mentioned. We still cherish family relationships. Many of us had little or no land or houses when we entered the community. And those of you who are here today as Oblates, having been drawn to do more with your lives, must you give up all? And aren’t all the followers of Jesus, all who commit to the Christian way of life, aren’t all on the way to the kingdom? And don’t we believe Jesus died to redeem all people? Jesus did say it was difficult to inherit the everlasting life, but with God it is possible! But still we need more clarity, don’t we?
So the question, it seems, is that of the young man who got this whole conversation started: What must we do to inherit, to be given our places in the kingdom? For an answer that makes sense, let’s reflect on the passage from Paul’s letter to the Colossians, our first reading today. This epistle was probably written late in Paul’s life, when his Christianity, his knowledge of Jesus the Christ, had deepened so that he could offer to the Colossians whom he’s never met, not a set of rules and regulations for membership in the church, but beautiful, wise and gentle instruction as to what it means to be Christian and to live as Christ, not totally divested of all material possessions and without any human relationships, but using all these gifts from God, our relationships and possessions, things which are actually blessings using them well, as our way to reach our place with God.
These verses in Chapter 3 are a call to what is true asceticism. Rather than stepping back from relationships, we are meant to do the costly thing of living unselfishly within our relationships. In humility, we are to be forgiving, to be merciful and patient, to be kind and even to do the extremely hard thing of admonishing someone we love when necessary and being open to admonition, to be aware of our own shortcomings.
Because you are chosen, Paul says, act this way. Let the word of God dwell in you, in speech and action, witness to that word. Pray together from your hearts, sing to God, use psalms and hymns and inspired words. In Jesus’ name be a grateful people, thanking God for Jesus who has come to live enfleshed among us.
So to each of us, whatever our lifestyle—married, single, vowed to life in community—let us all hear the teaching and renew our determination to be more than we are right now - to be men and women we’ve been created and gifted to be.
And on this feast of Benedict, may we be grateful to that wise and holy man of peace, whose life and teachings serve as our guide. Drawn into that centuries' old tradition of reverence and peace, may we be community where we are held into unity by Christ alive among us and so be able to bring Christ’s love and peace to all whose lives we touch.
In this way, we will all one day inherit, as Jesus promised, everlasting life. As St. Benedict put it toward the end of the Rule “ Let us prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he bring us all together to everlasting life.”