Posted on by sufficientgrace4u

What Journey Are You Planning?

Today’s gospel was one I struggle with. In fact, I read ahead while I was sitting in the pew and am fairly certain I let out an audible and heavy sigh as I read these words (which I know so well):

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Mark 10:17-22

Every time I read this or hear it at mass, I feel like my face also falls. Does this mean I have to give up everything? EVERYTHING I have worked so hard for? EVERYTHING I enjoy on earth?

The priest at mass gave a beautiful homily, focusing on the journey rather than giving anything up. He asked if we were going on a journey, what three things would we bring and suggested that the three readings today suggest that we should bring wisdom, the word of God as our guidebook, and faith. At the end he asked, when we thought about going on a journey — where were we thinking of going? This struck me (because I really had not thought about it).

When we are planning a vacation, we plan for it, sometimes for months. We read guidebooks or google. We plan what to pack, where to stay, what to see. We put in the work, sacrifice and save (sometimes for months), to make sure the trip of a week or two weeks will be nice. We talk to our friends and family about it (sometimes ad nauseum). At the end of which, we have pictures, souvenirs and memories. Similarly, as we prepare for our retirement, we plan for it. We read books, google or even attend seminars on it. We plan what we will need for hopefully what will be years. We put in the work, sacrifice and save. We talk to our friends and family about it. We even have countdowns and parties to celebrate it. We spend months planning for vacation and years planning for retirement.

But where are we really going and what journey do we really want to be on? Are we as excited about eternal life in our Father’s house, as we are about our upcoming beach vacation or our retirement plan? Are we focused on it and planning for it? Are we putting in the work and willing to sacrifice some things now? Are we talking to our friends and family about it? Would we give up the vacation for it? Would we give up our possessions and the comforts in this world for it? Have we set our sights, our hopes and our focus on God and being with Him?

Personally, I know, it is easy for me to push it to the back of my mind, to put my focus on things on earth, rather than to focus on God, to focus on the week vacation now, rather than eternal life. It seems absolutely silly when I say it out loud. Is it just the distraction of the riches, the technologies, the everyday life, the social media around us? Is it the procrastinator in us, thinking we have time to plan for that later? Is it a lack of faith? Is it choosing this world over God? Or is it a lack of trust that the dream vacation (heaven) is real or really for me?

The Good News is even though we may ignore God, even though at times we may choose this world over Him, God is still waiting for us. He is still waiting to welcome us aboard. He still has a seat reserved for us and an itinerary planned. I know that the eternal life that Jesus has promised is there and I know that it is impossible for me to attain on my own, but that everything is possible for God. (And, yes, that requires me to give up the control I like to have — I cannot get in a car and drive there by whatever path I want on my time schedule). God is ready for me and ready to steer my ship. But … I don’t get to control the timing and God is not going to force us to plan a journey with Him. We have to choose that (and choose that before the ship departs the last time).

Lord,

I know I am still lacking. But I want to choose you over every possession on earth. I want to plan my eternal vacation and retirement with you! Help me to find the courage and faith to follow your plan and not my own. I want your trip tik, your itinerary, not my own. I don’t want to procrastinate any longer. I want to be loud and proud about the journey I am on. I want to put my focus and my efforts into your journey. Grant me the grace and patience that I need. My paradise, my treasure, is with you.

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Hope in Heaven

Some messages stand the test of time:

When the time came for Mattathias to die, he said to his sons: “Arrogance and scorn have now grown strong; it is a time of disaster and violent wrath.  Therefore, my children, be zealous for the law and give your lives for the covenant of our ancestors.

“Remember the deeds that our ancestors did in their times, and you shall win great honor and an everlasting name. Was not Abraham found faithful in trial, and it was credited to him as righteousness?  Joseph, when in distress, kept the commandment, and he became master of Egypt.  Phinehas our ancestor, for his burning zeal, received the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.  Joshua, for executing his commission, became a judge in Israel.  Caleb, for bearing witness before the assembly, received an inheritance in the land. David, for his loyalty, received as a heritage a throne of eternal kingship. Elijah, for his burning zeal for the law, was taken up to heaven.  Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael, for their faith, were saved from the fire. Daniel, for his innocence, was delivered from the mouths of lions. And so, consider this from generation to generation, that none who hope in Heaven shall fail in strength.

Do not fear the words of sinners, for their glory ends in corruption and worms.  Today exalted, tomorrow not to be found, they have returned to dust, their schemes have perished. Children! be courageous and strong in keeping the law, for by it you shall be honored.

1 Maccabees 2:49-64

Thousands of years later, the same advice is pertinent to me and my son.  “Arrogance and scorn have now grown strong; it is a time of disaster and violent wrath.”   No one can argue that these are our times too.

There are so many pitfalls in life.  So many people and things pulling you in different directions, and often pulling away from God.  Promises of glory and happiness and immediate gratification.  “Today exalted” but “tomorrow not to be found.”

It is easy to give in.  So hard to be courageous and strong in keeping God’s law.  As I read about the faithfulness, zeal, innocence, obedience and loyalty of some of the “greats” from the Bible, my eyes keep going back to the same line:  “And so, consider this from generation to generation, that none who hope in Heaven shall fail in strength.”

So many of the Bible’s teachings are really so simple — it is we who make them complicated.

Dear  God,

My hope is in you and in your salvation.  I ask you to help me here on earth.  Please provide me with sufficient grace.  Please provide me with sufficient faith, zeal, innocence, obedience, and loyalty.  Grant me the courage that I may be steadfast despite all of the pulls and promises of today.  It is my tomorrow that I want to focus on.  My hope in heaven.