Holding on or Letting Go?
- davidwperk
- Mar 21, 2024
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Thursday, March 21, 2024
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent
The Rev. David. W. Perkins, Th.D.
Holding on or Letting Go?
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading: 21Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ 22When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 957) AM Psalm 131, 132, [133]; PM Psalm 140, 142 Exod. 7:25-8:19; 2 Cor. 3:7-18; Mark 10:17-31
Today we celebrate the Feast of Thomas Ken. (See below.)
David’s Reflections
St. John of the Cross, the 16th. Century Spanish monk, said of attachment to possessions: “It is not the things of this world that either occupy the soul or cause it harm, since they enter it not, but rather the will and desire for them.” *
Today’s Gospel demonstrates clearly the dilemma that such attachment creates. The man who approached Jesus was hungry for eternal life and for the certainty of that life. Yet, standing on the brink of having that desire realized, he could not receive it. His attachment to his possessions ran too deep and held too much power over him. In the conflict of desires, the desire for possessions prevailed.
In the Gospel record, Jesus asked no other person to give away all their possessions. Why make such a demand of this man? We can guess that the man’s response revealed that his possessions were his source of security and certainty. Again, we are guessing, but perhaps he felt grieved over the prospect of not having them. Only if Jesus became that source of security could the man practice the discipleship Jesus required. Jesus’ request touched the nerve of the man’s idolatry, his trust in something other than God. Had Jesus demanded something different, the man might well have responded with a “yes.” The text does not say any of this; again, we are guessing.
To what or whom do we look for ultimate certainty, security, and peace of mind? Obviously, we need some level of financial ability to provide for our most basic needs. We need a network of meaningful relationships to meet our fundamental need for connection. We need organizing dreams and aspirations to give rhythm and meaning to life. We need meaningful work to feel that we are productive and making a difference.
The dilemma arises if the dependence on possessions, a relationship, a dream, or a vocation becomes extreme, if that attachment becomes the primary source of peace of mind, and of a sense of value and security. The hunger for spiritual reality will bring us into conflict with those attachments. This story demands a letting go of the attachment that has been the source of certainty for a new and unproven dependence on God in Christ.
If you or I begin to take the risk, we will let go not just “of” those things, desires, dreams, or people to which we may have become attached. Rather, we will be letting go of ourselves “into” God. And, we will find that God will strengthen us against the fear and anxiety that letting go creates. Anxiety will grudgingly give way to a sense of rightness and a sense of peace.
*“St. John of the Cross, The Ascent of Mt. Carmel, trans. E Peers (Garden City, NY: Image, 1958), p. 110.
Collect of the Day, The Fifth Sunday in Lent
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 219)
Collect for Thursday of the Fifth Week in Lent
O God, you have called us to be your children, and have promised that those who suffer with Christ will be heirs with him of your glory: Arm us with such trust in him that we may ask no rest from his demands and have no fear in his service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Holy Women, Holy Men, p. 63.)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Thomas Ken, bishop and non-juror (died 19 Mar 1711 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Thomas Ken
Almighty God, you gave your servant Thomas Ken grace and courage to bear witness to the truth before rulers and kings: Give us strength also that we may constantly defend what is right, boldly reprove what is evil, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen.
A Collect for Guidance
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP 100)
A GAELIC PRAYER
As the rain hides the stars,
As the Autumn mist hides the hills,
As the clouds veil the blue of the sky,
So the dark happenings of my lot
Hide the shining of thy face from me.
Yet, if I may hold thy hand in the darkness,
It is enough.
Since I know, that though I may stumble in my going
Thou dost not fall.
(Theme prayer for the congregation of the Saxon Church of Escomb, England
Church constructed in 670-690 CE and still the site of worship for the parish. The visitor’s handbook attributes some of the architectural features to Irish Celtic influence. Source: The Saxon Church: Escomb: A Guide for Pilgrims. The Saxon Church. Escomb, Durham County, England.)
In the Order of Worship for Evening
Almighty, everlasting God, let our prayer in your sight be as incense, the lifting up of our hands as the evening sacrifice. Give us grace to behold you, present in your Word and Sacraments, and to recognize you in the lives of those around us. Stir up in us the flame of that love which burned in the heart of your Son as he bore his passion, and let it burn in us to eternal life and to the ages of ages. Amen. (BCP, 113)
A Collect for Mission
O God of all the nations of the earth: Remember the multitudes who have been created in your image but have not known the redeeming work of our Savior Jesus Christ; and grant that, by the prayers and labors of your holy Church, they may be brought to know and worship you as you have been revealed in your Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 257)
Daily Office Gospel, Mark 10:17-31
17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ 18Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.”’ 20He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ 21Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ 22When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ 24And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ 26They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ 27Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’
28 Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ 29Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, 30who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’
Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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