Psalm response: The Lord speaks of peace to his people

          Jesus here announces a very concrete and specific part of what it takes to truly be one of his disciples: accepting that wealth is not a reward but a burden.  In other Gospel passages he also proclaims other unlikely and demanding values and practices as well, such as loving even those who hate you and inviting the poor to your feasts, but it is all the same thing: his kingdom is truly not of this world.

          Consider that the disciples are here overwhelmed, not merely amazed, and that they ask not why Jesus says such a thing but how it can be possible – and we have heard or read this question too often to notice how this stands out. 

          The answer is actually fairly simple.  Go to the first few chapters of Job and read what God does to a supposedly just man, taking away all of his blessings – numerous children, much land and wealth, a good reputation, health, and even the support of his wife – and in the final chapters of this book we see all of that restored to him.  This is the clearest and most complete example I can think of to show what the Old Testament Jews considered to be God’s blessings.  No wonder the disciples are so radically puzzled and perturbed!  If God does not reward (“bless” us) in these ways, what does God’s love actually mean?

          We don’t think that way today, do we?  Or do we?  We seem to judge God’s love for us by whether we get what we want or not, and we leave that all up to him – or work like the Prodigal Son’s brother and wonder why we don’t feel loved.  I believe that even at the best of times we look too much to the gifts of God and not to the Giver, who is himself the only blessing that we should seek.

          Re-read this Gospel passage once more, and see what you think.