The Narrow Path

“The portion we will try to cover would be Mark 10:13-31”. This message from the leader of our weekly Bible study group ahead of our Class prompts me to pick up the Bible and read the verses.

When I come to the following, I have to read more than once,

Jesus said, “Truly , I say to you there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mother and children and lands, with persecutions, and in this age to come eternal life  ( Mark 10: 29-30).

These verses intrigue me, surely they apply to those who heard His call and were sent into full time religious life, our Catholic Priests, Nuns, Deacons and other religious.  They have given up everything to follow him.  And yet the verses promise they will receive a hundredfold of everything in this life itself along with persecution and eternal life thereafter.  They are promised everything in fact but the father, possibly because they have the one true father now.

The explanation in the notes yesterday and in the session are good, but somehow I struggle with understanding of this verse and look to  Mt 16:25 “ Whoever would save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” This is so applicable to the life of our religious who have everything but the luxuries we cling on to in life .  Just like the Pharisees clung onto their phylacteries and best seats in the synagogue, and to be greeted in the marketplace. Most of the Sadducees similarly were exceedingly rich in worldly  terms.  We have to let go of all these trappings of luxury and attractions to them as much as possible so we can truly follow Him and get our promised eternal reward.

My mind goes back to a few months ago when I was attending a course on discernment along with candidates on the verge of taking their final profession.  Hearing what they would be giving up to follow Him, brought home to me the great sacrifice they are making. “ I will never have a girlfriend.”  “ I have to give up the right to own property.”  “ I have to always remain obedient to my religious superiors.” Some of these frank sentiments brought me almost to tears to realise what sacrifices they are making.

I think of my own cousin, a Salesian Missionary Priest in Africa for over thirty years now.  He serves in one of the most remote parts of the continent, overseeing the education and technical skilling of youngsters.  Despite the harsh physical conditions at time, he seems so content whenever I meet him.  His siblings are all settled in Canada, and he could have opted for a comfortable life in worldly terms, but chose the narrow path instead.

The parable of the rich young man narrated in Mk 10: 17-21, Mt 19:16-30, Lk  18:18-30, reiterate this message that those who have left everything for Him will indeed receive a hundredfold.  We also know that in the choice of a vocation, once the hand is on the plough, it must never ever waver.  Thinking of the rigorous training of many years of religious instruction away from home, along with how few actually make it to the final vows, I have to really appreciate our religious more, and emulate them.

This chilly morning in the warm welcoming interiors  of the newly renovated Church, the calm, confident and measure manner  of the Father celebrating Mass bring me peace.  Unless the Father has peace inside him, he could not radiate this to all of us in attendance.

An hour later in the gym, the Coach tells me, “Tom, why are you rushed? Don’t be in a hurry, do things slowly and correctly.”

They are all pointers to me on how to lead my life.  What am I rushing toward always in imperfection?  Choosing the Narrow Path that few venture on, the religious have everything indeed, the most important being the calm and inner peace that He is with them always.  I need to walk on that path too.

For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet loses his soul ( Mark 8:36).