“Sell your possessions.”
Oh, man. Isn’t there a seminarian I can get to preach this week?
“Sell your possessions.”
Really?
The thing is, that this isn’t the only time that Jesus utters these very words. When talking with the rich young ruler, he tells him to do thusly to secure eternal life.
And we all know that the rich young ruler turned around and walked away sad, because the price was too much.
“Sell your possessions.”
Oh, the temptation to spiritualize this command is so great. ‘Just don’t be attached to what you have.’ ‘Give some to the poor, and all will be ok.’
Ah, but no. Jesus really meant what he said.
And he said it twice.
And so, here I sit, in a chic New York City restaurant, overlooking the Hudson River (ok, I had a salad…), and ready to go back into the safe and beautiful confines of The Cloisters… and here I sit typing on my iPad, and periodically checking my email and Facebook on my iPhone… And what I have to ruminate on is “sell your possessions…”
Oh man.
There is a strong anti-wealth sentiment that runs through the scriptures, and particularly in Luke-Acts. It’s in Luke that John the Baptist summarizes the Good News by imploring the crowds to share what they had. It’s in Luke that Jesus tells the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man, where the Rich Man ends up in Hades because he failed to do anything for the poor Lazarus. It’s in Acts where the post-resurrection community of believers had no possessions but held everything in common and gave freely to the poor.
“But, that’s socialism!”
Whatever. It’s the Good News.
The dangers of this passage are to either demonize wealth (Jesus also hung out with the wealthy, like Joseph of Arimathea), or to sentimentalize poverty. If you’ve ever experienced or seen real poverty, there’s nothing sentimental about it.
The teachings of Jesus are about connecting ourselves to God, and severing the connections to our own stuff, our own ego, our own ravenous appetites and desires.
This passage is so foreign to our spiritual experience, but it is foundational to the Christian faith that Jesus taught. To reclaim this teaching without recoiling (or walking away sad) is part of our pilgrimage, walking in the footsteps of Jesus and his first followers.
I don’t claim to understand it. And I’m probably not going to sell the iPad on my way home tonight. But, I know that I need to hear these words of Jesus far more, and far more deeply, than I need to hear the words of another commercial telling me that my life wont be complete without yet another ‘magical and revolutionary device,’ be it a phone, pad, or snuggie.
“Sell your possessions.”
Lord Jesus, show me what that looks like, and help me live your words more nearly, without fear or prejudice.
What a very good thought on this passage. Thank you.
P. S. I don’t get it either. But I’m trying.
Rick…
Loved your note for this week… I am just back from visiting my mother in Washington State. Looking for work, either returning to the calling of being an Intentional Interim again, or venturing into the unknown of beginning a career as either an academic or theological librarian. Many balls are in the air… and Jesus says, “sell all your possessions.” So much I hold on to, so much I grasp with the tightening hand afraid to let go. So much is in the living for that grasp. Might I somehow sense a release of this grasp… a trust of the future in God’s own place and time and calling–and be free of the grasping hands of this life? Nouwen once said that we must live with open hands, not grasping hands. And that the hands which grasp are often afraid to open… because what is held within those white knuckled gripping fingers is not something… but nothing.
Thanks for your notes. I always receive from your insights.
Thanks David. I preached today on “letting go.” Easily said, difficult to do! I’ll be praying for you as you transition into….whatever God has in store for you.
I love your stuff each week Father Rick. As a Local Licensed Pastor in the UMC I find such inspiration and direction and perspective in your weekly posts and I love the “real worldness” of your words. Amen and keep on giving of yourself so freely.
Earl, thanks so much! Blessings on your and your ministry!