loving our poor neighbor

Matthew 19:16-22


"If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
(Matthew 19:21)

This passage continues to get under my skin. It's true that this was one case and one person who was basically coming to Jesus on his own terms. Jesus never responds to anyone else this way. However, we do probably squirm out of some of the radical impact this story is intended to have.

Jesus' initial answer to this man's question is "If you would enter life, keep the commandments." Then, in clarifying his initial answer Jesus seems to say that following him, trusting and obeying him is eternal life. But this man would not, could not, say "yes" to Jesus.

But Jesus' fuller response is instructive and ought to be taken very, very seriously. Jesus tells the man which commandments - those from the second tablet of the Law, summarized in "you shall love your neighbor as yourself" (which, of course, is not one of the Ten Commandments but may emphasize Jesus' point).

When the young man says, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" Jesus seems to flesh out a practical example of fulfilling both tables of the Law at once. In obeying Jesus, he would be both loving God with all his heart, soul, and strength (which includes wealth), and loving his neighbor as himself. He would be trusting and believing in Jesus as he would be casting his lot completely with him, no other options.

But let's not miss that on the surface of it, at face value, Jesus puts a high premium on loving our poor neighbor practically through identifying with their needs, and through sacrifice and generosity. Picking up on one of yesterday's points - the poor have value in Christ's kingdom. That kingdom value is, again, upside down, it runs counter to the world's evaluation. And it brings both conflict and cost. Help us, Lord. Have mercy upon us.

I really like the Suffrages (BCP, p. 97-98 in Morning Prayer. Today's reading reminds me of them (note themes of peace, justice, safety, the needy, the poor):

V. Show us your mercy, O Lord;
R. And grant us your salvation.
V. Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
R. Let your people sing with joy.
V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
R. For only in you can we live in safety.
V. Lord, keep this nation under your care;
R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V. Let your way be known upon earth;
R. Your saving health among all nations.
V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V. Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R. And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

(Prayer is one thing, and action is another.)
Clean hearts, indeed, and sustained by your Spirit - for real peace in all the world.
Amen.