28th Sunday Year B - Homily 5

Homily 5 - 2021

The apparently upright, commandment-observing, rich man, asked Jesus about “inheriting eternal life”. He asked the wrong question. Eternal life cannot be “inherited”. To inherit supposes ‘making your own’, ‘controlling’. “Eternal life” can only be received [as Jesus would say later] . It is always and only ‘gift’. The Gospel said that Jesus “looked steadily” at the rich man and “loved” him. He invited him to “follow” him; offered him the chance to “enter the kingdom of God”. To “love”, to “follow”, to “enter” have nothing to do with owning, with inheriting. They speak of relating, of engaging with — not with controlling. Indeed, they are the expression of letting go, selling off, certainly not acquiring as one’s possession.

When speaking afterwards to Peter and the other disciples, Jesus spoke of their “leaving house, brothers, sisters, father, children or land … for the sake of the gospel”; and promised that they would “receive” them back “a hundred times over”, along with “eternal life”. [Unfortunately the translation says “repaid” rather than “receive”. However, the original Greek language clearly says, “receive”.] Being “repaid” and “inheriting” are legal rights. “Receiving” has to do with accepting a gift. We have no right to “eternal life”. The difference in attitude is crucial— as is the consequence, now and later on. Rather than a legal transaction, “eternal life” is a beautifully free relationship. Jesus had also referred earlier to God as “good”. The goodness of God can only be received, experienced. It cannot be bought by merits or whatever — sheer unmerited gift.

Let’s look a little more closely at our own experience. I cannot speak for you, but I can share something of my own.

When I was a young lad, our house was not just a house, not just a shelter. It was home. What made the difference was the love, freely given and received — the love of mum and dad, and of my one sister — a “hundred times over” difference. All I had to do was “receive” their love — and fortunately I could — unmerited, and with no control on my part.

As for my sister and me — she was three years older than I — just old enough when we were young for us not to be rivals. We would not have called it love then, but it was close enough. We did not see much of each other as we grew older and went our separate ways. However, I treasure fondly the last few weeks before she died a few years back — when she was in hospital slowly letting go of her life. For me, it was a precious time of conscious discovery of our love; and of deep respect and appreciation for each other. She was looking forward to meeting God face to face. I found her inspiring. It was already an anticipated experience of “eternal life” — for her, certainly, and also for me. And all gift!

Two or three times a week, in the early morning, I take a walk around the Lake Hamilton. I find it consistently beautiful, whatever the weather - the water, the trees, the birds, the distant hills. It is all gift, there for the seeing.

Around the perimeter is a reasonable amount of real estate and a number of quite presentable houses. I own none of it, will inherit none of it, but I can appreciate it — without having to worry about the things that owners need to worry about. As I look at the houses, when I think of it, I sometimes pray that they be experienced as “home” by those who live there.

It strikes me that receiving everyone, everything, even God and God’s goodness and love, as gift, whether in the midst of “persecution” or whatever else is going on, is the best source of true happiness; and great practice for “eternal life”, as Jesus noted.

100-times over? Well, more than enough! always on tap! at least in the memory!