“What good must I do to gain eternal life?” This question presented to Jesus by the young man returns to us very frequently. If we are looking forward to eternal life, that objectively is the goal of our life. We know and even feel that it will not happen automatically or accidentally. The eternal life offered to us by God can only be reached by living this life, and living in a special way: in holiness. Every person, every child of God, is called to holiness, not in the future life, but now. It requires determination similar to what we practice at work, in sports or at any skill. In this journey to eternal life, everything that is on the earth is important, and everything matters: both small things and big ones.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus requires of anyone wishing to be his disciple (and consequently to gain eternal life) to “renounce all his possessions.” In this context, “possessions” includes relationships to other people. Jesus mentions close relatives and one’s own family members among things to be renounced. He even uses the word “hate” in describing the level of this renouncement. Because Jesus is the representative of God the Father on earth, He demands the same undivided love that the Old Testament demanded toward God: “your whole heart, and your strength.” Nothing can compete with God. Whoever has renounced everything for God’s sake has moved beyond all calculating. When we use the word “calculation,” we come to the core of Jesus’ two examples from today’s Gospel. It seems that Jesus is praising someone who is being prudent: planning properly for a tower and collecting all necessary means for it and also strategizing peace with the king who has twice as many troops.
Actually, this is not what Jesus meant. Jesus had something different in mind, which testifies to the conclusion of these stories: “In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” The meaning of these examples is as follows: a man deliberates and calculates as long as he aims for a compromise. If he has that prospect in mind, he will never finish his tower or win his war. Obviously, Jesus is provoking people by giving these examples, but He is provoking us for a good purpose. These stories are not intended to remind us of how prudent we should be nor how smart in planning our actions. They provide a radically different message. Jesus tells us here that we must be determined and wholeheartedly dedicated in following Him and His teaching.
Calculations and unnecessary deliberations simply distract us from our goal and weaken us in our earthly pilgrimage. This pilgrimage has a specific goal and requires concentration and persistence. Although today’s Gospel listeners are those who are already following Jesus, He is asking them to make a further step. He asks if there is anyone in the crowd who not only likes His teaching but is also willing to take up his Cross, to follow Him. Look at Jesus. He gave up everything: his relatives, his mother. He had no place to lay His head. He “considers His life as nothing,” He will “carry his own cross (Jn 19:17). Like Jesus, only he who has abandoned everything can receive it back.
Being a Christian is neither a game nor entertainment, or just an interesting enterprise. It requires complete dedication. This dedication is not only in selected spheres of someone’s life or on selected days but in everything and always. No doubt, it requires denying oneself and making sacrifices. There is no surprise then that such vision of salvation seems too exhausting to some people, too complicated, and too difficult. But those who decide to enter more deeply into the mystery of the Gospel will admit that while the Gospel is truly difficult and demanding, it is at the same time achievable and undeniably beautiful – as only truth can be beautiful. Are you ready to accept this message that Jesus gives us today to trust and to follow Him?
Fr. Mark Jurzyk