reordering relationships - 28th sunday B

I am a bit amused when I was making this homily.  Amused because last Sunday, in explaining the relationship of husband and wife in marriage, Jesus used the words cling, to hold so tightly, in order that the two become one. This Sunday in addressing the young man’s relationship with his riches, with the things of value to him, Jesus used the words sell and give, something that connotes ease in letting go.  Husbands and wives, family – cling, hold tightly.  Things, riches, let go easily.  Problems come when we confuse these two, when we cling to things, and easily let go the people we love, because many times because we can’t let go of things. 

The young man went away sad because he had many possessions.  And yet the Lord looked at him not with condemnation and judgment but with love probably feeling compassionate with the dilemma this young man felt and probably hopeful too that in time he will realize what matters most.

The invitation of Jesus can be shocking.  Well, it left the young man sad and it surprised the disciples who asked, then who can be saved?  In reality however, it is basic.  In forming a new relationship one has to reorder priorities, one has to divest himself of affiliations that may not facilitate the growth of the new relationship, one has to leave behind things and values, things we have gotten used to but may now come into conflict with this new relationship.  All of us cried when we left our mother’s womb.  Many of us cried on our first day in school, and it can be fascinating.  When we fall in love with a person our lives become reordered in that person.  Last night during the game family feud the oldies in our parish revealed where they had their first kiss – one answered car, prom night, front porch, and the answer which garnered the most laughter – restroom; and the most which garnered hisses – first kiss? In church.  No one believed him.  Even our relationship with our parents become reordered as time passes by, remember? – school, then adolescence, then work, then falling in love, then babies, then parents grew old, then the worst part is when they are gone. That has always been the case whenever we forge new relations.  A reordering happens and many times it can be painful.  Many times it can hurt both ways.

There was this guy who hung behind his desk a framed reminder of this reordering in his life.  The frame simply says, I am Third.  Why third? He explained, I am Third because God is first.  I am third because others come second.  I am third because I am third.

Our first reading prays for wisdom.  Let it be our prayer too in our choices in our relationships.