November 4, 2009
Wednesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, (namely) "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)
"If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26-27, 33)
Piety
The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me; you restore my strength. You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name. Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage. You set a table before me as my enemies watch; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come. (Psalm 23)
Study
Sometimes, the readings for Daily Mass come in nice complementary pairs where the Hebrew Bible or Letters expound on the same theme as the Good News. On first reading, that symmetry seems like a pretty big stretch today.
Starting with the reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans, we read that love conquers all. "Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another." Shakespeare picked up on this in Hamlet. “Neither a borrower nor a lender be.” However, Polonius’ advice to the indecisive Danish prince continued on in a tone that was a far cry from the self-less outlook in Paul’s letter. Polonius opined: “To thine own self be true.” However, Paul wants us to be true lovers of others, not of our selfish pursuits.
According to the notes in the New American Bible for today’s passage from Romans, “when love directs the Christian's moral decisions, the interest of law in basic concerns, such as familial relationships, sanctity of life, and security of property, is safeguarded.
“Love anticipates the purpose of public legislation, namely, to secure the best interests of the citizenry. Since Caesar's obligation is to punish the wrongdoer, the Christian who acts in love is free from all legitimate indictment.”
So Paul is setting us on a path to love one another. Jesus however, seems to give us whiplash with his message. "If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."
Rather than focusing on love, Jesus seems to be preaching hatred and division. However, on closer reflection, Jesus wants us to hate what comes between us and our ability to love others. He warns us that to follow him, we also have to carry a cross like he did up Calvary. Without fully relying upon God and renouncing personal possessions, we can not be wholly committed to discipleship. "In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26-27, 33)
This attitude is built into the early Christian community but seems to have lost its place in modern society except for a few exceptions. Beyond the religious life, we still have Catholic Workers, the Bruderhof and other intentional communities founded on the principles found in Luke 14 and later in Acts 4:32 – "The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common."
Action
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus said he wanted to set us free. Today, he seems to concentrate on setting us free of unnecessary personal possessions.
When we hear this, will we be like the rich man who sulked away when Jesus told him to give away his possessions? Will we try to put a coating of sugar on it so the message goes down easier? Will we try to put padding on the cross as we carry it like a yoke on the back of an ox?
This is a reading that really confronts those who see Christianity as a feel-good friendship with Jesus. Instead, Jesus outlines the real commitment needed to be a disciple. Even your family needs to come second to your commitment as a disciple. We can be “fans” of our favorite monastic order. However, are we willing to take vows of poverty, stability and obedience to the leader of an abbey, monastery, diocese or convent?
To be focused outwardly – not inwardly – what can you give away as a start? Maybe some books? Some music or movies? Some extra clothing? Owe nothing to anyone except love. Does that mean no balance on the credit card? No car payment? No money down to buy that new living room furniture? But keep in mind, Jesus does not that some precious few monks or nuns must renounce “some” of our possessions. He says, “Everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33) There is no compromise.
Let’s use Luke 14 as a motivation to start to divide us from some of the possessions that weigh us down and get in the way of our ability to love one another and own nothing.
