The psalmist proclaims the joy of those who are
forgiven in the texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary. What are some
of the areas in which we need to seek the healing of forgiveness? The Gospel
account today from Mark tells of a young man who visits Jesus seeking wisdom
about what he needs to do to be good. This episode appears in the three
synoptic Gospels. (Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-27; Luke 18:18-27). The author of the Gospel of
Mark makes the point that Jesus looks at the young man and loves him. The Lord gives
the example of correction being presented to others in love. We understand in
our mind that this makes sense but how often do we ensure that those who we
correct know that we love them. The best episodes of correcting others may
occur between spouses who are aware that the ongoing relationship of love and
giving between them is of primary importance. The invitation of God to accept
correction is also to continue and deepen and the intimate relationship with
the Divine. Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the Wisdom of Sirach which exhorts
us to act today to be reconciled. The decision to delay can bring us to
complacency and presumption upon the grace of God. The rich young man even when
the love of Jesus for him and the invitation to greater intimacy with God was presented
could not leave the self satisfaction he found in wealth at that time. We hold
on to our passions for self gratification. This is similarly keeping us from
moving to greater freedom and peace. Jesus may use some Jewish exaggeration to
underline that the path to freedom is always possible in relationship with God.
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