Growth is rooted in Love

The Easter season is over and the Roman Catholic Lectionary brings us to texts for “Ordinary Time”. The sense of the word “Ordinary” is not plain or simple but “numbered” as in the ordinal numbers. Mark relates an encounter between Jesus and a rich young man. This is an example of Jesus marvelous method of bring the truth and of encouraging change in others. The dialogue is about seeking growth. Jesus is aware that the next step in growth will be difficult. Jesus makes certain that the young seeker knows that Jesus loves him. The direction for growth is presented. The choice remains with the seeker. We need to place the love first. Our way is not likely to be “The Way”. The great commandment is to love. The 1st Letter of Peter reminds us that the difficulties of living faithfully are real and yet the experience of the love of the Divine is a living hope and energizer for joyful progress in our growth in intimacy, forgiveness, compassion and strength to help others