Looking at the Rich Young Man

Many of us are seeking after something more for our lives. At times, we are confronted with the realization that our lives are incomplete. We want to fill the void. While many of us live good and upright lives, we still wrestle with the question whether our lives can have deeper meaning, direction, and purpose. 

And so, we become spiritual seekers like the rich young man in today's gospel passage from Mark 10:17-27. This internal struggle and journey of the rich young man leads him to Jesus. And it is in this encounter with Jesus that the rich young man asks: "Isn't there something more?"

Jesus never fails to respond to our seeking. Jesus, looking at the rich young man, loves him. Indeed, wherever we are on the journey of spiritual seeking, Jesus still loves us! It is from this foundation in love that Jesus then offers a challenge to the rich young man (and to us): "You are still lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, give it to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then, come follow me." The rich young man goes away sad, for he has many possessions. 

What is our own response to Jesus' loving gaze and words of challenge? Can we detach ourselves from those things which hold us back from going deeper, from giving our lives meaning and purpose?

Whenever we seek out Jesus and encounter him, our lives will take a decisively new direction. Jesus will challenge us to go deeper, to go beyond living superficially. It might seem impossible for us to sell off our wealth or to let go of those things that possess us: ego, pride, past hurts. Living the gospel way is a real challenge to each and every spiritual seeker. This whole journey seems impossible! 

But then, with those same eyes of love, Jesus looks at those spiritual seekers surrounding him and says, "For men, it is impossible. But not for God. All things are possible with God."

The Way of the Saints

I am always amazed by the spirit of selflessness and love that is exemplified by those holy women and men who have gone before us. There is no shortage of inspiring stories! Our Christian saints are not untouchable statues on a pedestal, but real flesh-and-blood examples of how works of faith, solidarity, and kindness are stronger than hatred, division, and competition.

Br. Flavian with a member of the Kalidaha Fishing Project

Earlier this morning, I re-discovered the story of Brother Flavian Laplante, CSC. Brother Flavian was a Holy Cross brother who ministered to the poor and marginalized minorities in Bangladesh beginning in the 1930's. During the Japanese air raids on Chittagong in 1942 and during subsequent periods of illness and starvation, Brother Flavian ministered to the needs of the local people affected by the war. Brother Flavian cared especially for the Hindu minority in that area.

After the war, Brother Flavian ensured that the Bengali people received new fishing boats after theirs had been commandeered by the military. This Holy Cross brother also helped the fishermen get motors for their boats and tried to ease the burden of poverty for them and their families. Brother Flavian helped establish a school, an orphanage, and a women's resource center. All people in Bangladesh - Muslim, Hindu, and Christian - experienced the zeal, the passion, and the selfless love of this good man.

Near the end of his life, Brother Flavian began to live as a hermit. Beginning in 1978, he established an "ashram" where he resided. At this site, he encouraged a Marian pilgrimage. This tradition continues today. There, at the ashram, Brother Flavian lived in utter simplicity and in deep prayer, though he always welcomed guests who sought the wisdom of this holy man. Brother Flavian died in 1981 at the age of seventy-four.

Servant of God Flavian Laplante

In 2009, Brother Flavian was recognized as "Servant of God" by the Catholic Church. His life and work will continue to be explored by the Church until one day he is officially declared "Saint " by the Church.

I am inspired by this saintly man. He wasn't perfect nor was the world around him perfect. However, Brother Flavian was able to respond to the needs and crises of his time with generosity, courage, and love. In our own time, we are being called to respond with the gift of our lives.

Like Brother Flavian, we are being summoned to care for the weak, the vulnerable, and the "other." We are called to work alongside others, never considering ourselves better or superior. When we take upon ourselves the selfless spirit of Christ, just as Brother Flavian did, we will be able to live as "brother" and "sister" to all of humanity. This is the way of Jesus Christ. This is the way of the saints.

Jesus' Hairy Halo

Recently, I had the opportunity to spend some time with several of the men and women who are experiencing homelessness in Monroe County. I was also blessed to be with those exemplary Christian disciples who feed, shelter, and share the gift of human warmth with those most in need. 

Much of my time was spent simply being present at our parish's warming center and the nearby church's winter weather shelter. At first glance, these seemed to be  rather ordinary moments. Yet, in looking back, I realize that God had profoundly touched these moments with grace, beauty, and love. God has blessed these moments with His hidden presence.

During one such moment, "Jim" was telling me how he and his girlfriend helped comb out and wash the matted-down and knotted hair of "Brett." While some benefit from the temporary winter shelter, others like Brett remain outside in their tents despite the bitter cold temperatures. Jim explained that as he combed and shaped Brett's hair, it formed a large halo-ring above his head. Jim laughed and said that he was afraid to continue combing Brett's hair for fear that Christ himself would come among them and ask Jim to stop touching his halo!

If Jim could only realize that Jesus was indeed present in their midst! Jim was Jesus as he gently groomed and cared for Brett. And Jesus was present in Brett, a lovable and humorous human being who lives with mental illness. Brett's hair halo was a sure reminder that Jesus is most especially present and alive among the poor, the homeless, and society's most forgotten members.

I was again reminded of this later that evening as we moved from the warming center to the overnight shelter. Seeing a dozen and a half tired bodies laying on thin mats on a gymnasium floor struck me as a profound incarnational moment. Christ was present in these tired, worn-out figures. Christ was there, wrapped in those sheets, snoring and tossing and turning at night. And Christ continues to be present in these, our sisters and brothers.

Matthew 25 is not just a quaint fable or parable, but the power of the Truth. Jesus Christ walks among us and chooses to identify with the lowly. As baptized disciples, we are compelled to see each and every person as possessing the identity of Christ. 

Jesus walks among us. I have seen Him. Jesus combs hair and tells jokes. Jesus lives in a tent and also sleeps on the floor of a local gym. He snores. He coughs. He shivers. Jesus drinks coffee and smokes cigarettes. Jesus offers a kind word and offers a crooked smile when he tells a joke. Jesus has mental illness. Jesus suffers from addiction. Jesus misses his family. Jesus cries. Jesus is my brother. Jesus is my sister. Jesus is here.

Do you see Him? Do you see Jesus? He has a hairy halo.