I guess you can say that I am madder than hell, whatever that phrase might mean. I think I can say that it is a spiritual mad, I just don't know at whom I am mad. I have been for the last few weeks attending a Sunday School class where we have been talking about the "Rich Young Ruler". We have spent four weeks trying decide why Jesus told him to sell all that he had and give to the poor, had this man really kept all those commandments and many other trivial things. I am not trying to marginalize the discussions but sometimes we try to see more into the teachings of Jesus than are there.
Here's my take and then I'll tell you why I'm mad. This young successful business man comes to Jesus and says, "Hey good religious man, what do I need to be able to get the stuff you've been talking about, like I mean the eternal life stuff." Jesus replies, "why are you calling me good, there is only one really good one, besides it's not about being good." "But Jesus, I've done all the other tough stuff that all us religious folks need to do in order to be considered good", the young professional replies. Jesus. You want to really be "good" then sell all you have and give it to the poor." The young professional. "are you crazy, I've worked hard to get where I am and I'm not about to give it up. Haven't you heard about the recession we are in? Man, George got us into a mess and Obama is digging the hole deeper. But I so really wanted to get the stuff you talked about but man that is too much to ask." To me his problem was he didn't want to part with his shit and his shit kept him from the good shit Jesus was talking about. A spiritual journey that was all about building a relationship with Jesus and others in the community of THE WAY. To me Jesus was talking about THE WAY of LIFE as much as ETERNAL LIFE and so often I confuse the two.
Now, here is why I'm madder 'n hell. I sit in this class and begin to pontificate about how we've missed the mark as a church and have made church about forgiveness of sins rather than community and being a community of believers. I turned to a lady in our class (who had earlier asked for prayers for her business) and told her that if her community of believers were what they ought to be that she wouldn't have to worry about what would happen if her business failed, that her community would rally to the side of her family and see them through the mess. And then she broke down and cried, probably through fear for her business but I think from listening to her more about her doubts that her community would be there for her. And I'm mad as hell that I for one am just like the rich young professional, except that I'm an old professional, and I'm not so sure I am willing to "walk the way to eternal life." You mean I gotta do what? Jesus talks a lot about money and the epistles say a lot about money and regardless of what our western culture may say about money, it is really not about money it is about community. Jesus said, "give it away". The early church had all in common and we can explain It away all we want to but that is what it says. I'm just not so sure I like it. I guess I can't decide which shit I really want.
Well, enough of my rant...I need to go make some more...
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3 comments:
I've never prayed for patience, because I'm well aware of how God builds patience in people. It's usually not very pretty. When this young professional asked for something about which Jesus knew this young professional didn't have a clue, Jesus offered him something to force him to realize just how good he had it. If this young professional realized how good he did, indeed, "have it", perhaps he would have given a knowing nod and smile to Jesus and learned to be content with all the good gifts he already had. What Jesus taught is that we already have everything we need to be happy, it's just that each of us defines happiness in different ways. For some it seems more shallow than others, but it's their happiness anyway, so who are we to judge?
Jesus was crazy as shit. And, of course, Jesus never had kids either. It's easy to be perfect and poor when kids aren't in the picture.
But I hear you. I struggle with this one too. Because, if we live like Jesus, all of us should be poor and on the FBI's most wanted list.
But I think you hit on the key point. This story isn't about yours or my failings; it's about the failure of all of us, the failure of the community. We can't sell all that we have because we have no community in common that would support such an endeavor. We are stuck. We can no more sell all that we have as free agents alone in the world than we could squeeze a camel through the eye of a needle.
Sounds like you're hitting at the need for "intentional community" living. And I second that. We should e-mail about this because it's something I think about a lot.
To me, though, THE WAY OF LIFE is ETERNAL LIFE, and holy shit am I way short.
You are so right...I even venture this thought today in church class..without the curse words...and in a round about way was called a "communist". I retort was read the message of Jesus in Mark without the glasses of western christianity and the message of Jesus is absolutely more radical than most would be comfortable. I'm not sure I'm ready for his message....I do think that we have sort of got ourselves stuck but...we can become unstuck by following the message...I just don't know that I'm ready...there are too many things I want to give Dendie and Will...
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