PRAYER MOMENT
Monday
3 March 2014.
LOOKED AT HIM AND LOVED HIM
Pause. Be present
when Jesus is on his journey and meets this young man
Reading: “Jesus
looked at him and loved him and said, ‘There is one thing you lack.’” (Mark 10:17-27)
Reflection. Typical
of Mark! He gives you little colourful details. The man “ran up.” He was
attracted by Jesus and wanted to follow him. Jesus “loved him” and explained
what he must do. But the man doesn’t
like what he hears and he “went away sad.” It is a sharp focused confrontation
with no room for compromise. If you want to follow Jesus you commit yourself to
his way. You leave behind that to which you are attached – maybe something quite
good and useful – and you set out on his way as a free person. The sadness
comes in because we want freedom but we do not want to pay the price. So we end
up in complex compromises. When Jesus says “sell everything and give the money
to the poor”, some will take this literally, like Anthony of Egypt. But for
many it will mean an invitation to help the poor even if I do not sell
everything because I have responsibilities to my family and others.
Prayer. Lord
Jesus, give us the heart of longing for you and your way. Help those intent on
piling up wealth and power to know what you offer; freedom, joy and peace now
and for ever. Amen.
David Harold-Barry SJ
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