I have to admit, one thing I struggle with at times is giving up control. I might not go so far as to say I micro-manage, but I like things to be my way on my time; it’s sometimes a challenge to delegate even if it might help. I know I’m not the only one with this problem though. I’ve heard of some who are very particular about where Thanksgiving dinner will be celebrated, what will be served and even where everyone will sit at the table. A wonderful team of people spent a great deal of time and love setting up the decorations in front of the altar. Each object has its place, I’m sure, and I know there could be trouble if I were to make adjustments. It’s still a couple months away, but some have already admitted to me that they like to control the Christmas tree decorations and how gifts are arranged beneath. Maybe you’re the kind who alphabetizes the spices in the kitchen or is bothered when someone gets to your favourite pew first. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has a hard time remaining a quiet passenger when the driver takes a more scenic route then needed.



The Gospel reading this weekend introduces us to this nameless rich young man. We’re not told how he became rich; he may have been part of an influential family or maybe made some good business ventures; perhaps he won the lottery. As far as anyone could tell, he had life all figured out while still having a lot of life to live. On top of that, he was very interested in living rightly, in doing the right thing; he worked hard all his short life to keep the commandments. So, there’s plenty of reason to envy or admire him. Maybe there are some here who can relate, who recognize, on this Thanksgiving weekend, how they are similarly blessed with respect and love, financial security and health. Maybe you’ve also worked hard to keep God’s commandments and generally avoid doing the things disciples know we ought to avoid.



Despite all the good things he had going for him, the rich young man knew something was missing; there was something he still longed for, something neither his possessions nor his commitment to the commandments was fulfilling. Our faith isn’t just about following a set of rules. Of course, the commandments and the teachings of the prophets, Jesus and our Church instruct us in sorting the good from the bad because there are certain actions that simply aren’t compatible with living the kind of life God wishes to give us. But faith isn’t just about following a rulebook and whenever it’s reduced to that, we’re left, like the rich young man, wanting more.



So, before Jesus was about to move on to another community, the rich young man ran, knelt before the Saviour and asked, “…what must I do to inherit eternal life?”[i] We all want eternal life; it’s what motivates us to get our children Baptized and to send them to Catholic schools. We know eternal life is about more than living for all time; it’s also about sharing in the peace and joy of God; it’s a priceless treasure.



The rich young man may have been doing his best to follow all the commandments, but his question to Jesus reveals an attitude that holds him back from receiving the treasure of heaven. His question reveals someone wanting to possess or own eternal life, to control it perhaps as he controlled his wealth and other possessions; the rich young man wanted to ‘get’ eternal life for himself, through his own power. To help heal his heart, Jesus urged, “…come, follow me.”[ii]. It was an invitation for the rich young man to surrender all control, what he had trusted in for so long, and instead submit to God.



There’s nothing wrong with having money or possessions. But there is a problem with striving to control so much here that the promised treasure of heaven is forgotten or depreciated. Jesus invited the rich young man to surrender control and instead let the Saviour take control, to trust that eternal life, the treasure of heaven, isn’t something earned, but something accepted. The message isn’t about money, though we’ll get to that in a few weeks. No, the message is about opening the heart to accept the treasure of heaven by surrendering control to God.



On hearing the invitation of Jesus, we’re told the rich young man, “…went away grieving…”[iii]. He knew faith had to involve more than following rules. But surrendering control, sacrificing attitudes and efforts that had served him so well in this life was just too much. The rich young man chose to maintain his control, clinging to the very thing that had failed to satisfy his heart.



The sadness of the rich young man is a prompt for each of us to examine what control we might cling to and how grasping for control might direct focus away from following Jesus and accepting the treasure of heaven. We all know how difficult it can be to surrender control. We like to control what others think of us. Some like to influence the thoughts, opinions and choices of others. Others strive hard for financial control and security.



For the next few weeks, we’re going to look at all the ways we’re challenged to surrender control. To prepare for this, take a moment this week to reflect on the control you have and what control might be difficult to surrender. What might Jesus ask of you that would make you walk away as the rich young man did? We all want to follow Jesus, we all want eternal life; let us pray that what we receive here today would open our hearts to surrender whatever might hold us back from following the Saviour and accepting that treasure of heaven.



Like the rich young man, we come before you, O God, longing for more than what wealth, pleasure, honour and control can offer. With the help of your Holy Spirit, help us to keep focused on your gift of eternal life, the treasure of heaven. May the example of our Lord inspire us to surrender our need for control and prompt us instead to follow him. We offer these prayers in his name. Amen.







[i] Mark 10: 17 NRSVCE



[ii] Mark 10: 21 NRSVCE



[iii] Mark 10: 22 NRSVCE

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