ACC ~ Mark 10 v21a

HOW WEALTH OBSTRUCTS DISCIPLESHIP

JEROME: This is why those who are rich find it hard to enter the kingdom of heaven. [1] For it is a kingdom which desires for its citizens a soul that soars aloft free from all ties and hindrances. “Go your way,” the Lord said, “and sell” not a part of your substance but “all that you have, and give to the poor”; [2] not to your friends or kinsfolk or relatives, nor to your wife or to your children. … When once you have put your hand to the plough, you must not look back. [3] When once you stand on the housetop, you must think no more of your clothes within. To escape your Egyptian mistress, [4] you must abandon the cloak that belongs to this world. Even Elijah, in his quick translation to heaven could not take his mantle with him, but left in the world the garments of the world. [5] LETTER 118, TO JULIAN. [6]

[1] Cf. Mt 19:24; Mk 10:25; Lk 18:25.

[2] Mt 19:21; Mk 10:21; Lk 18:22.

[3] Lk 9:62.

[4] Gen 39:12.

[5] 2 Kings 2:11, 13.

[6] Cetedoc 0620, 118.55.4.439.18; NPNF 2 6:222*. The call to discipleship is simple and unconditional.

INWARD INTENT

AUGUSTINE: I who write this have greatly loved the total devotion of which the Lord spoke when he once said to the rich young man: “Go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and come, follow me.” [1] I have so loved it that I have indeed acted upon it myself, not by my own strength but by his assisting grace. The apostles were the first to follow in the practice of this complete self-giving. [2] One who gives up both what one owns and what one desires to own, gives up the whole world. LETTER 157, TO HILARIUS. [3]

[1] Mt 19:21; Mk 10:21; Lk 18:22.

[2] They had no riches to give up, but the value of their response did not depend quantitatively upon how much wealth they gave up. The quantity of how much one gives up does not determine the worthiness of the act. One who having nothing gives up little is not less worthy than one who having much gives up all. Cf. Mt 4:18-22; Mk 2:14.

[3] Cetedoc 0262, 157.44.4.485.15; FC 20:352**. Note that the command is to give up not only what one has but also what one desires to have.

FULL OBEDIENCE

CAESARIUS OF ARLES: What that man heard, most beloved, we, too, have heard. The gospel of Christ is in heaven, but it does not cease to speak on earth. Let us not be dead to him, for he thunders. Let us not be deaf, for he shouts. If you are unwilling to commit to full obedience, do what you can. But here is the radical divine requirement: “Sell all that you have, and give to the poor; and come, follow me.” [1] The lesser road of the law says: You shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not seek false witness, you shall not steal, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” [2] SERMONS 153.1. [3]

[1] Mt 19:21; Mk 10:21; Lk 18:22.

[2] Mt 19:18-19; Mk 10:19; Lk 18:20.

[3] Cetedoc 1008, 104.153.1.12; FC 47:337**. Greater and lesser commands are distinguishable.