A brand-new pastor began to minister at his first faith-family. Within the first week, two members died. In the following week, there were two more! In his first month, he had presided over eight funerals.

Consequently, his time had been greatly limited and his Sunday homily preparation took the toll. So he simply preached his first Sunday homily over and over again across the next three Sundays.

Well, the people were upset and several parishioners went to see the local vicar forane, one of them laying out their “complaints” as fairly as is possible. “What should we do? This new pastor has used the same homily four times in a row!”

The vicar forane was surprised, but after a moment he asked them what the homily was about.

The members puzzled over this simple question. They hemmed and hawed, but they really couldn’t remember.

The vicar forane then said, “Let him use it one more time.”

There are times when we reduce the 10 Commandments to mere numbers, even though we say we observe them, as did the man who asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus invites him to follow, telling him to get rid of his possessions, his stuff; it’s getting in the way.

“At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.”

He is the only person in Mark’s Gospel who was invited to follow Jesus, but who went away.

When Jesus told him the cost of following, it penetrated his heart and challenged the life he was leading. Jesus offered him something greater than the stuff if he would give up the stuff, but he could not, or would not, or did not want to let go. He was in love with his possessions, and so allowed them to define his life. His possessions possessed him. He is long gone and so are his possessions

It is not known whether this man ever changed his decision. It is worthwhile to note that the man himself felt the need to do more; and he asked what he should do and Jesus told him.

What Jesus told him to do is not easy, but, St. John of Avila and St. Hildegard of Bingen, the newly proclaimed doctors of the Church, have done it. They are examples of the call of all Christians to evangelize those who have strayed from the faith.

Notice, too, that, when the man couldn’t do what Jesus asked, Jesus let him leave; Jesus didn’t soften his demands so that the man would change his mind. The man asked. Jesus answered. When the man could not fulfill Jesus’ request — “... then come, follow me” — Jesus made no attempt to run after him.

Jesus, present in your life, offers you choices to grow in faith, in grace. Each choice you make to follow God’s way will cost you something. Jesus is looking at you, loves you and tells you, “You are lacking in one thing.”

What is the one thing more that Jesus is asking of you in the Year of Faith? What would he tell you to do, or not to do, or do even better?

“I wish to place in the hands of the Mother of God this special time of grace for the Church, now opening up before us. Mother of the ‘Yes,’ you who heard Jesus, speak to us of him; tell us of your journey, that we may follow him on the path of faith; help us to proclaim him, that each person may welcome him and become the dwelling place of God. Amen!” (Benedict XVI, homily at Loreto, Italy)