Today’s Gospel is an interesting one. Teacher, what must I do to gain eternal life? It sounds like some of the students/staff I work with. What do I need to do to get into medical school or to get that internship offer? How do I get a new title or a raise? He is looking for the “to do list” so that he can check it off and gain entrance.
But God calls us to do more. Following the commandments is a start. The young man says, but of course; I have! And now God issues the real challenge. As a man of means, he says sell everything and come follow me. But he just can’t do it! He can’t part with his stuff. His possessions. His things/money/distractions/everything that prevents him from following God. And he is sad.
Growing up I used to hear this reading and sit in a judgmental posture. Yes! Preach! Why are there so many rich people in the world? In the pews with me? Why are we not handing it over? I often missed that God didn’t issue an edict to all to sell all earthly possessions and take vows of poverty. God challenged that young man to put aside what was between him and his relationship with God…what prevented him from following him with his whole heart. And here I was ready to shake the collection plate loudly in front of those I knew who came from a higher social economic status than me. Oooof.
How wrong was I? Well, it was definitely an unexamined opinion that’s for sure. So I misread, misinterpreted and judged others. I messed up, like children of Isreal in the first reading. But God kept sending judges to help deliver them; to help them. And I keep trying and evolving and learning. Its amazing how its always easier for me to point it out for others.
When students I work with have a life changing study abroad or service immersion experience, I don’t expect them to come back to campus and change their major from pre-medicine or marketing to social work (if they do, that’s fine). But they don’t have to literally give up all of their possessions (life/career dreams). Rather I ask how do they use their God given gifts to change the world now as a doctor or a business person with this global awareness they have? How do they unify their head and heart? Too often we live in a world of this or that. Right or wrong. We look for simple answers. And I think we all know this world is one big beautiful, complicated, messy gift.
Instead of donating all our earthly possessions (although I do encourage us all to live more simply) do we ask the other question. What in our life prevents us from following God? Instead of being left sad like the young man, how can we enter that joyful eternal state and do something for the greater glory of God to be closer to God?
Michele Bogard
As a product of formal Catholic education for 12 years, I truly believe my faith formation has come from working at Creighton University for the past quarter of century. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, I came to Creighton thinking that I would be in Omaha for a year or two and then move home. Little did I know how Creighton and Ignatian spirituality would alter my life plans! From accompanying students on Campus Ministry retreats, learning from former student/staff members who are now Jesuits, to working the Spiritual Exercises with the Deglman Center, I attempt to be a lifelong learner.
At work, I hope to help foster experiences where students feel a sense of belonging and focus on wellbeing, At home, I am a mother to a son who is a great source of joy, laughter and sore muscles (I am not an effective goalie for our front yard soccer practices and my tennis game is pretty rusty). A new gifted Kindle will hopefully help me catch up with a backlogged list of books I’ve been wanting to read. Carlos Ruiz Zafón is a favorite author. Travel is a lifetime passion; my son and I are already planning our next adventure.
I look forward to learning together with you as we reflect on the daily readings together.
