Reflection - The Way

http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081919.cfm
Judges 2:11-19
Matthew 19:16-22

When Joshua led the children of Israel into the land promised to their fathers, God gave some clear instructions. The inhabitants of the land were to be entirely removed. If they would not depart willingly, they were to be removed by force, and even by death if necessary. Co-mingling with the inhabitants was forbidden. By the time of Joshua’s death, the Lord’s instructions had been followed throughout a good portion of the land; but there were substantial areas where the original inhabitants still remained. With the passing of Joshua the people were more agreeable to tolerating idolatry than to waging battle against it.

If I had to guess, I would say that the Israelites saw no problem with letting these other people alone; or maybe they were just too lazy to follow the way chosen for them by God. Centuries later, the problems resulting from this failure were still in play; and Isaiah’s accusation in the eighth century BC could just as appropriately been directed towards them: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” (Isaiah 53:6)

Listen to me, O Jacob,and Israel, whom I called! [This is the word of the Lord.] “I am He, I am the first, and I am the last.

My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I call to them,they stand forth together.

Assemble, all of you, and hear! [says the prophet] Who among them has declared these things? The LORD loves him; he shall perform his purpose on Babylon, and his arm shall be against the Chalde'ans.

“I, even I, have spoken and called him, I have brought him, and he will prosper in his way.”

Draw near to me, hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there. And now the Lord GOD has sent me and his Spirit.

Thus says the LORD,your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.

O that you had listened to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” (Isaiah 48:12-18)

The circumstances of the people at the time of the judges — the time of our first reading — are a direct consequence of failing to follow the Lord’s way, as prescribed by Moses.

The Gospel offers even greater insight. The young man says he has kept the commandments, but wants to make sure there is nothing lacking, so he asks if there is anything more. Jesus gives him a two part answer: “Sell what you have and give to the poor. Then come, follow me." Now Jesus doesn’t say that these directives are essential for eternal life. In fact, Jesus initially responds with a list of Commandments. 

So, as I read the text, it would appear that Jesus is telling me that I can take my chances of entering into eternal life by following my interpretation of the law, I.e., by my way or I can detach myself from whatever is binding me to this earth, and follow him — which is his way. 

The first option reminds me of that teaching from Job: “I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.” The second suggests that, to go further in my spiritual life, I must bite the bullet, cultivating a spirit of, or even an existential practice of detachment, and follow Jesus. In this matter it is well to remember that the early Christians were known as followers of The Way.