I have become accustomed to thinking of these things that surround me as mine. When I look around my room, I see MY paintings, MY computer, MY guitar, MY CD’s, MY clothes in the closet, MY…. And it is all about me. Today’s gospel tells me that is a deadly attitude for the kingdom. We are clued into that by the question that the rich young man asks. “What must I do to inherit eternal life…”. He is given an impossible task in Jewish culture – leave everything that you rely upon for your sense of identity – your possessions, your family, your world, and come and follow me. That was social suicide, almost impossible to think of in a culture where your family ties are everything. This is followed by an impossible example – “it’s easier for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye…” As if to say: “Guess what- there is nothing YOU can do to inherit eternal life.” “For human beings, it’s impossible, for God, all things are possible.”

Any attitude that tries to possess that life, which tries to control that life, will ultimately get in the way of receiving the very thing you most want. “Sell all your possessions and give to the poor… then you will have treasure in heaven. Then, come and follow me.” The path to discipleship is a path of surrender and receiving, not of control and earning. Salvation comes as a freely given invitation. What we can do is receive that gift.

The point of the gospel is not necessarily about giving everything away, though for some people, that may be exactly what it takes to learn how to receive everything. (Look at St. Francis of Assisi.) It is not to feel guilty because of what you have, though there are plenty of writings in our Catholic heritage that call us to a faithful stewardship – aware of those who have so little. The heart of this passage, it seems, is to let go of the attitudes and things that keep us from the kingdom. For no matter what I do, my salvation is a gift. I am not deserving of heaven. But I can receive it. And I can say thanks with my life. “What can I do to inherit everlasting life?” Not a dang thing. What can God do? Just about everything.

I was surprised that day, back in the seminary, with how much I cling to. I still struggle to remember that possessions don’t matter. But when I do, I remember this story, and I leave it with you as it has stayed with me – as a reminder of the importance of letting go.

It seems a hunter was trying to capture a monkey, but the monkey was too quick for him to get his nets thrown over him. So he took a gourd, sliced it in half, hollowed it out and then put a ripe mango fruit inside of it. He then cut a hole in one end, just big enough for a monkey to slip his hand inside. He tied the gourd back together and hung it from a tree, close to the ground. Attracted by the fruit, the monkey put his hand inside the gourd and closed his fist around the mango fruit. But now his fist was too large to withdraw from the opening, and even though the monkey saw the hunter approaching with his nets, he would not let go of the mango fruit, and so he was captured…

Lord, give us the grace to let go of whatever we cling to, so we may receive the gift of salvation you offer to us this day. Amen.