ACC ~ Mark 10 v22

GOD SAVES ONLY THE WILLING

CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: God provides a fairer wind [1] for more willing souls. But if they early abandon their eagerness, the wind which God provides is thereby obstructed. For to save the unwilling is an act of compulsion. But to save the willing is the act of one showing grace. SALVATION OF THE RICH MAN 21. [2]

[1] Cooperates spiritually.

[2] TLG 0555.006, 21.1.2-3.1; cf. ANF 2:597. God’s grace is not another form of compulsion.

WHETHER JESUS WAS HARSH TOWARD RICHES

TERTULLIAN: The rich man followed his own counsel, having rejected the precept of dividing his resources with the needy. He was abandoned by the Lord to his own opinion. [1] There is no justification for applying the term “harshness” on this account to describe Christ. For each individual free will is able to choose to defile itself. “Behold, I have set before you good and evil.” [2] Choose that which is good. If you cannot because you will not (for he has shown that you can if you will, because he has proposed each to your free will) you ought to depart from him whose will you elect not to do. ON MONOGAMY 14. [3]

[1] Mt 19:16-22; Mk 10:17-22; Lk 18:18-27.

[2] Deut 11:26-28; 30:1, 15, 19; Josh 24:15.

[3] Cetedoc 0028, 14.45; ANF 4:71*

THE BURDEN OF CHOICE

AUGUSTINE: He did not follow. He just wanted a good teacher, but he questioned who the teacher was, and scorned the identity of the One [1] who was teaching. “He went away sad,” bound up in his desires. “He went away sad,” carrying a great burden of possessiveness upon his shoulders. [2] TRACTATE ON JOHN 34.8. [3]

ON RICHES MARK 10:23-31

[1] The uniquely good one.

[2] Mt 19:22; Mk 10:22.

[3] Cetedoc 0278, 34.8.11; FC 88:66-67**.

OVERVIEW:

By merely having wealth one tends to love it inordinately. Hence the rich find faith exceptionally hard (AUGUSTINE). Yet Christianity does not leave the wealthy in despair (CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA). If one is able in the midst of wealth to turn from its powerful mystique so as to exercise self-control, seeking God alone, one may yet remain unwounded by it (CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA). The poor do not thereby have an absolutely privileged position over the rich with respect to salvation (CAESARIUS OF ARLES). Richness in virtue is greater than richness in worldly goods (SALVIAN THE PRESBYTER). Just as readiness to give up wealth is required, so is readiness to give up those most dear to us, our family, insofar as they may be an obstacle to our salvation (CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA). Those who seek to live the life of faith are blessed with the gift of a worldwide family beyond that natural family from which they came (JOHN CASSIAN). Nothing is impossible to God except that which is contrary to God’s nature (THEODORET OF CYR).