by Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL
Human beings are relational animals. We cannot exist outside our networks of relationships. This means that we have to consider carefully the nature of the relationships we are in to ensure that we have healthy relationships, not just with other people and God, but even with the inanimate objects that are a part of our life, namely things like dreams, possessions and so on. Let us look at the story of the Rich Young Man and see what we might be able to draw from it. We cannot do a full analysis due to lack of space but I think we can still gain something from this reflection.
In Matthew 19:21 we read about how Jesus invites the young man to “Come follow me.”
This invitation is at the same time the beginning, middle and end of the Christian way of life. It is an invitation to unite ourselves with Christ who will show us the way to the Father and eternal life. The invitation is given by Jesus to a young man who has sought his advice as to how to enter into eternal life. It is clear from the context of this invitation that this is not a matter only of disposing oneself to hear a teaching and obediently accepting a commandment.
More radically, it involves holding fast to the very person of Jesus, partaking of his life and his destiny, sharing in his free and loving obedience to the will of the Father. By responding in faith and following the one who is Incarnate Wisdom, the disciple of Jesus truly becomes a disciple of God (cf. Jn 6:45), Jesus is indeed the light of the world, the light of life (cf. Jn 8:12). He is the shepherd who leads his sheep and feeds them (cf. Jn 10:11-16); he is the way, the truth, and the life (cf. Jn 14:6). It is Jesus who leads to the Father, so much so that to see him, the Son, is to see the Father (cf. Jn 14:6-10). Thus, to imitate the Son who is “the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15), means to imitate the Father. (Veritatis Splendour n.19)
To follow Jesus is to love our neighbor in the same way Christ has loved us (Jn 13:14-15)
To follow Christ is to be conformed to his image (Rom 12:1-2). This occurs through the action of his Holy Spirit (grace) in our lives. (cf. Rom 8:1-4). We then become one body in Christ (1Cor 12:13, 27) and are clothed in Christ (Gal 3:27). Then and only then will people know we are Christians by our love for one another (Jn 13:34-35).
Jesus challenges the young man to sell of his possessions and give the money to the poor in order to follow Him (Mt 19:21).
When the young man heard this, he went away sad as he had many possessions (Mt 19:22). It seems that the young man is unwilling to let go of all his attachments to the world in order to enter into the fullness of life and discipleship with Jesus.
Herein lies one of the greatest challenges counselors will face in their ministry, namely that of trying to lead people along the path of detachment. I believe that the vast majority of the problems, psychological, emotional and spiritual, can be traced back to an inordinate attachment to earthly things.
In the lives of the saints, one of the most common and strongest trait we will discover is their detachment from family, friends, dreams, things, etc. This is the way to good mental health!
If we can detach ourselves and our commitments from the things that are never going to endure we will be free to invest our time and energies on those things that will endure forever, namely the things of the Kingdom of Heaven! It is a simple recipe for success but one that is very difficult to follow! How can we do this?
In the context of our reflection we read the disciples asking, “Then, who can be saved?” (Mt 19:25) This question is derived from their shock at hearing that will be more difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle. The answer Jesus gives them is appropriate also for our own question regarding detachment.
For men it is impossible but with God all things are possible. (Mt 19:26)
“Come follow me” …involves holding fast to the very person of Jesus…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL is a founding member of the Missionaries of God’s Love (MGL), a congregation that originated in Canberra, Australia in 1986. He is the pastor of St. Benedict Parish in the Diocese of Novaliches, and also serves as the spiritual director of the Light of Jesus Family and Elim communities, among other Catholic organizations. He has been writing for Shepherd’s Voice Publications for more than twenty years, including the reflections in Companion and Sabbath, as well as articles in other publications.