Transcript of Abbot Clement
=s Talk on Tuesday, September 30, 2003It seems that a thief stole a very expensive vase from a rich person=s house. He then took it to the market and sold it for 100 pieces of silver. A merchant was watching this transaction, knew that the vase was worth a lot more then 100 silver pieces, immediately purchased it. Then he went to the thief and said, AWhy did you sell this for only 100 silver pieces?@ He said, Ais there anything greater than 100?@
This is like our faith. People go to Mass, they observe the commandments, they practice a certain amount of charity, but they sense is that all there is to it? Isn
=t there anything more?This was in the heart of the rich young man when he asked Jesus,
AWhat must I do to gain eternal life?@ Jesus goes through the commandments. Then Jesus says, ATo go further sell what you have and come follow me.@ The text says the young man went away sad.In the monastic tradition it goes this way: Abba Lot talks to Abba Joseph and he says,
AAccording to my strength, I fast, I pray, meditate, mortify myself and I keep the order of my day.@ Abba Joseph simply stands up, holds his hands out and they turn to fire. He says, AIf you want to you can become fire.@ It seems to me that one of the difficulties we have in this spiritual life is to realize what we believe. That God really loves us. Since He loves us He pursues us. It took me some time to really sense this in a deeper way that even when I sin God is still loving me. At the same time, He won=t let me rest and wallow in mediocrity. So he digs, pushes, and reminds us that we have to give our all to the Lord. What we need to do is listen! Where in my life do I resist God in His pursuit of me? His love is such that He wants all the gifts He has given us to blossom and flourish. This takes a certain amount of courage. A certain amount of fortitude to really go that extra mile and begin to cooperate in that area of my life where I=m resisting. Where I stay mediocre. We have plenty of examples, because the Pope has made saints upon saints, that God can do this in many different ways. Each of us has to ask the question himself. Am I just simply doing the routines of the day? I=m at office, I do my spiritual reading, I throw myself into my work, I serve others, yet I sense not enough, something=s missing. That=s what has to be taken to prayer and your spiritual director and that=s what has to open up.