Rich and beloved

The text from psalm 32 in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today contains the phrase ‘thou dost encompass me with deliverance’. This older English offers an opportunity to consider this statement in the light of the desire of the rich man in Mark’s Gospel to move closer to eternal life. The response of Jesus to his request was to ensure him that he is loved and to recognize his journey as one who keeps the commandments. The next step is more than the young man is prepared to take at this time. The desire for deliverance was still on his terms. The Wisdom of Sirach today underlines that fullness of human life is found in the intimate communion with the Divine where forgiveness and mercy are abundant even for those who have failed to endure against the temptations of life oriented towards self and the slavery of our possessions and passions.