A Guided Prayer of Indifference

Mark 10:17-27 MSG

As he went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?”

Jesus said, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good, only God. You know the commandments: Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t cheat, honor your father and mother.”

He said, “Teacher, I have—from my youth—kept them all!”

Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, “There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.”

The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.

Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who ‘have it all’ to enter God’s kingdom?” The disciples couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but Jesus kept on: “You can’t imagine how difficult. I’d say it’s easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for the rich to get into God’s kingdom.”

That got their attention. “Then who has any chance at all?” they asked.

Jesus was blunt: “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.”

Directions

The first time through we invite you to simply listen and allow the picture of what is taking place to unfold before you.

In the second reading, we invite you to focus on Jesus. What do you see? What do you feel? What do you notice about the heart of Jesus?

In the final reading, focus on the seeker, the rich young ruler. What do you notice about him as he approaches Jesus? What do feel as he walks away?

Journal

Imagine now that Jesus turns to you.

• Is there any gift, a role, or a posture in your life he draws your attention to? Is there something you’re tempted to cling to?

• If something has come to your attention, what is your honest response to being aware of this gift, role, or posture in light of this passage?

• Is there a temptation to cling? Is there anything you want to ask God for?

• Is it possible to envision a new level of freedom in your life with God? What words would describe that? Is there an image that comes to mind?

Prayer of Blessing 

From the words of St. Ignatius and Trevor Hudson, we offer this prayer of blessing.

“Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and all my will—all that I have and possess. You, Lord, have given all that to me. I now give it back to you, O Lord. All of it is yours. Dispose of it according to your will. Give me love of yourself along with grace, for that is enough for me.”

“Lord, this way of prayer stretches us to the limit of what it means to love You. It reminds us that the seeking journey never ends.

We know that the joyful freedom of being able to abandon ourselves in love and service will come only with complete self-surrender.

“Lord help me want to know that your love and grace is enough for me, that I may be set free to trust you with all my life.”