“For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.” 1 Cor. 2:11-12

Recently I’ve discovered that as my car ages, it seems to operate more and more on autopilot. Just last week, we made it half way to my office though I haven’t worked there in 8 months. I guess cars sometimes succumb to the same challenges as people. At least, that’s the excuse I’d like to use, especially when I’ve reached my destination absent-mindedly, having little to no recollection of the journey.

In truth, I’ll admit the tendency to go through life on autopilot is strong.

Maybe because it’s safe. Maybe because it’s comfortable. No matter the reason, I’ve been told I’m not alone in letting large chunks of time go by without asking the important questions: Who am I really? What makes me happy? How can I leave the world a better place? What do I need to do differently? Who did God intend me to be?

Sometimes asking the questions leads us to a wonderful realization that we know who we are, at least for this moment; that we are doing what God intended us to do and, with full understanding that life is not always a rose garden, are truly happy and grateful for our lives as they are.

Other times, the questions lead to an acknowledgement that changes need to be made, maybe big, maybe small, or maybe, as my spiritual director once advised, we simply need to unpack our daily craziness and multiple roles, pack a picnic lunch instead and commune with God’s gift of nature. Yet even more than encouraging us to embrace some blessed time to ourselves, there is a greater purpose for examining our lives.

Awareness.

Awareness allows us to see ourselves with wise eyes. It peels away the veneer of our assumptions and our self-sufficiency and leaves us naked before God. It puts before us the opportunity to respond more fully to God’s generous love, and to be more fully the person God calls us to be.

This was the challenge Jesus placed before the rich young man (Mark 10:17-27). Here was a devout Jew keeping God’s commandments with sincerity and integrity. Jesus looks at him with great love, but challenges him to examine his life more deeply. What is it he truly values?

What illusions and assumptions govern his life?

In essence, Jesus encourages the young man to ask himself the important questions, but he is not yet ready or willing to face the answers. Jesus invites the young man to let go of all he considers as treasure, and is saddened by the young man’s response of shock and grief at the prospect of giving up all he owns. Grief is a powerful emotion, one that parallels the value we place on something.

This Gospel reading is one we often ignore. Assuming that our chances of being rich are slim to none, the message may not be one we internalize. But to consider this Gospel solely as a chastisement of the wealthy is to miss the fullness of Jesus’ teaching and challenge to all generations.

Even without two nickels to rub together, as my father used to say, there are riches to which we cling: image, authority, success, importance, possessions, intellect, or our belief that we are self-sufficient. The value of looking within, of examining our lives, is a growing ability to undertake the journey fully conscious and unencumbered with false treasures, so we end up where God wants us to be.