St. Paul's Episcopal Church

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
425 Cleveland Ave SW
Canton, Ohio 44702
Phone: 330-455-0286
Fax: 330-455-9818
E-mail: office@stpaulscanton.org

19 Pentecost
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Canton OH
Mark 10: 17-31

October 11, 2009
The Rev. Barbara L Bond

Giving of ourselves

Some things are hard for me. I have a hard time weeding out my closet, even of clothes that don’t fit anymore. Somehow I want to hang on to them, and the vain hope that I will fit into them again – and my closet is full of clothing I don’t wear.

Really and truly, the difficulty is with myself. I’m hanging on to things that don’t matter. I think I know how the young man felt in today’s Gospel story.

This young man was really trying to get his life in order. He was attracted to Jesus, thought Jesus had the answer about a meaningful life. Jesus inquired about his spiritual practices, and the young man did everything right – followed all the commandments, went to church regularly, probably even tithed his income. Jesus looked at him and loved him. He could see the young man’s sincerity, and Jesus offered him a true, deep and meaningful life, the offer of discipleship. “Come and follow me,” said Jesus.

But what Jesus said first was the stumbling block. Jesus looked at the young man and loved him, and saw clearly the impediment: the young man’s possessions. So Jesus offered him the way of freedom: Sell what you own, give all the money to the poor, and come follow me, he said. The young man just couldn’t do it – he turned away grieving, too tied to his wealth and possessions to answer the call. I’m sure Jesus still loved him, and grieved for his choice. But Jesus looked around at his followers and rejoiced, because they had made the opposite choice. All of them had given up everything, and followed him.

Giving up everything – giving over our whole lives – that is the authentic Christian call. Jesus doesn’t talk about percentages. He says, give it all. Get rid of whatever is holding you back. Give your whole heart, soul, and mind to God.

To have a meaningful life, we are called to see our whole lives in terms of loving God and loving our neighbor. How does this play out?

I remember a lovely woman in her 80s in Oregon. She was a member of my EFM ministry class, giving her time to continue learning about the Bible and our tradition. When the question of giving of material things came up, she said that she found the Old Testament standard of tithing to be a comforting way of life. She had always given ten percent of everything she had – she paid God first, and there was always enough for her other material needs. It was just the way she lived, had always lived. And in her manner of life, I could tell that she also gave all of herself in love to God and neighbor. She had answered the call to discipleship, and her generosity was a natural part of the package for her.

Jesus looks at us and loves us. Jesus probably even understands about my bulging closet. But his invitation is more serious than that.

The young man asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Is this a story about getting into heaven? You could read it that way, but that isn’t what Jesus said. Jesus was not talking about pie in the sky when you die, but pie right now. Eternity begins when we accept the invitation to discipleship. And it can be expensive.

For Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who wrote a book called The Cost of Discipleship, the cost was ultimately his life. He made decisions along the way – such as leaving a safe academic position in America and returning to Hitler’s Germany, because he was serious about his discipleship. It meant accepting an invitation to try to overthrow Hitler. He was caught and imprisoned, and in prison, continued his ministry with other prisoners. He was executed shortly before the war ended. His eternity began much earlier than the day of his death.

The Gospel story is a serious one, a serious challenge for all of us. It contains sadness, but it also contains joy. Jesus says that nothing is impossible with God, and rejoices with his followers in their new life. We all have choices, we all encounter stumbling blocks. As you look at the priorities of your life, keep this story in mind. There is great joy awaiting you.