Thoughts for the Day

Then someone came to him and said, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honour your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these; what do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Children will see a toy or the latest game, and start to make unrealistic birthday or Christmas "wish" lists weeks ahead of the event, before asking for the next item, when that event is over.. Parents become their "Father Christmas" figures, seemingly able to buy them whatever they want. Of course adults know this isn't possible, neither is it good for children to be given whatever they want. But we adults are often like children. In the past we would call it "living like the Jones'", meaning that our neighbours always had the best and latest of everything, with wonderful furniture and the latest "must have" tech equipment.

But when our world collapses through something unexpected we begin to realise what is actually important in life. We have recently seen a number of horrendous events happening where families have had to leave their homes with no warning, through war, fire, or flood, and where loved ones may have died. When faced with such tragedy the only thing that becomes important is one's life and the lives of those around us. Belongings take second place, and though we may be sad at the loss of a home or precious mementoes, people are grateful to be rescued alive.

The rich young man in today's reading is tied up in knots because of what he owns, and he cannot leave them to follow Jesus. We too can become constrained by possessions, and need to learn to live "lighter" to them. Getting rid of most of the items in my bungalow, including my books, to move into a house with family was cathartic for me. I am learning to travel lighter as a Christian.

Father-God,
we are born bringing nothing with us
into our world,
and we shall leave with nothing one day.
Help us to learn what is important,
and that possessions can hinder
our development as Christians,
drawing us away from You.
May we learn to live lighter
to what we possess
and to re-evaluate what is important.
Amen.