truth – Page 2 – Spiritual Stepping Stones

After Jesus continues to call out those Pharisees who follow their own will and put themselves in the place of honor instead of God, one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.”

Jesus did not soften his words or hold back. He went right at the scholar and convicted him as well, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them” (Lk 11;45-46).

Jesus is clear about his mission, about what the kingdom of God is not and what it is. Jesus is shining a light on the practices of those Pharisees and the scholars of the law that are not fulfilling the Law and the Prophets. I believe that there were those who were. Yet, for those he challenged, he did so in the hope that they would see the darkness that was blinding them. Unfortunately, unlike Bartimaeus (see Mk 10:46-52) who knew that he was blind and wanted to see, this is not true for these whom Jesus confronted.

How about us? Are we aware of our blind spots? Are we willing to allow Jesus to shine his light and love in our direction? Will we cover our eyes because the light is too bright and withdraw further into the shadows, or will we remain still and allow our eyes time to adjust so that the brightness of the Mystery of God will reveal to us that which has kept us bound? Will we justify, or rationalize our behavior or those of others that we know are sinful, or will we be transparent, repent, believe in the Gospel, and walk further into the light and the embrace of Jesus?

Let us resist the path of those Pharisees and scholars of the Law who imposed heavy burdens without being willing to help others along the way. We do need to know the law, the Catechism, the Bible, Canon Law, participate in the sacraments and be people of prayer and service, all doing so for the purpose of coming to know Jesus and the love he shares with the Father who is the Holy Spirit. We have been created for nothing less than to participate in the very love of God, to become divine through our participation in the life of Jesus. This love and relationship with God increases as we share what we have received with others.

Jesus did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill them. He was actually much more demanding than the Pharisees or the scribes. The difference is, Jesus invites us into his divine relationship to empower us so that we can also fulfill the prescriptions and practices that God has commanded. Doing so is not for God’s sake but for ours! God’s divine law is in place so that we can experience freedom from the false truths, diversions, distractions, and attachments that we have fallen for. Meditating upon God’s law and putting it into practice is like a tree planted near fresh water that will never wither and fade. Our roots that run deep will continue to receive nourishment and sustenance even in times of drought, challenge, and trials.

Jesus beckons us to come out from the shadows and into the radiance of his light. As we experience his love and mercy, he encourages us to continue to move out of our comfort zones and complacency so that we may encounter others with the same love and mercy we have received. Jesus does not expect us to live the life he challenges us to aspire to all on our own power. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing, but with Jesus all things are possible.

Photo: Enjoying some quiet time of breathing, praying, and walking with Jesus and Mary. Rosary walk, Vero Beach.

Link for the Mass readings for Wednesday, October 16, 2024

A man approached Jesus seeking to know what he must, “do to inherit eternal life” (Mk 10:17). Jesus interestingly shared the commandments of Moses’ second tablet, those of loving neighbor such as: do not kill, commit adultery, steal or bear false witness; do not defraud, but do honor his father and mother (cf. Mk 10:19), not any from the first tablet regarding how to relate to God. The man affirmed that he had followed them all. Jesus did not challenge the man’s response. The disciples, I bet, though perked up and prepared to watch Jesus lead this man deeper.

Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You are lacking one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow me” (Mk 10:21).

Jesus did not admonish or condemn the man. Mark, who most likely got this eyewitness detail from Peter, wrote, “Jesus looking at him, loved him”. Jesus loved him and hoped to help him to see that there was something still lacking in him, still holding him bound. So he lovingly invited him to take the next step to fulfill the deepest desire we all have, which is to be one with God and one another.

Instead of embracing the invitation, the man was crestfallen. That he followed the prescriptions of Torah all his life, and most likely sincerely felt he was blessed by God with the gift of having many material goods, in the end, did he really know God any better by following the precepts of the law alone? In the end, did he worship God or his possessions which still enslaved him.

He may genuinely have come to seek eternal life, but as many misunderstood the kind of messiah Jesus would be, he did not grasp the reality of relationship that God invites us to experience. This man was likely serious, disciplined, well mannered, and virtuous but made the mistake in thinking this all came about by his own doing. He thought the things he received from God was his blessing, not realizing that God wanted to give this man the greatest gift of all, himself.

Jesus invited the man to follow him, and in so doing he was now bringing in the first of Moses’ tablets, the first three of the Ten Commandments, which have to do with our relationship with God. Jesus answered this man’s question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” by saying, “You are lacking one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow me” (Mk 10:21). Interestingly, Jesus did not say, follow God, he said follow me! Jesus is the Son of God, he is God incarnate.

The heart of the commandments invite us to be free from that which enslave us, so that we can put God first and foremost in our lives, so we can experience and receive his love, so we can grow in our relationship with him and one another free of unhealthy attachments. This is what we all have been created for, as St. Augustine himself realized when he wrote, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you” (St Augustine, Confessions).

I invite you to return to this scene from Mark 10:17-31. Recall the image of the disciples and Jesus watching the rich man walk away sad. Become aware of the eyes of Jesus, his gaze now on you. What stirs within you as you receive his gaze and his love?

Allow yourself to take a breath and ask, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Continue to look deeply into Jesus’ eyes as he says, “You are lacking one thing…” How does he fill in the blank for you?

What is your response?
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Painting image based on the Shroud of Turin.

Link for the Mass readings for Sunday, October 13, 2024