In the gospel for today, I always wonder how much to make of the description of the one who questions Jesus as being “a young man.” There are a number of things one could say about this passage that having nothing to do with the questioner’s age. The question reveals a fundamental human concern: the pursuit of eternal life or spiritual salvation asked in earnest by someone who is genuinely seeking to understand the path to salvation. Perhaps his use of “gain” and his positive response about the commandments reflects a belief that righteous actions alone can secure eternal life. But these could be asked by someone of any age. In any case, Jesus calls him to radical discipleship, challenging the man to go beyond rule-following and embrace a more profound, sacrificial commitment. The man “went away sad” as he realized that was a bridge too far. He lacked a willingness to prioritize God above all else.
But why a young man? Admittedly, the man’s youth is not the primary focus of the passage, but I think it noteworthy.
The man’s youthfulness may symbolize his earnestness and zeal for seeking eternal life. We often associate youth with vigor, curiosity, and a desire for knowledge and spiritual growth.
At the same time, we often think of older individuals as more experienced and knowledgeable in matters of faith and morality. By portraying the seeker as a young man, the passage may be emphasizing that salvation is accessible to anyone, regardless of age or social status. It challenges the conventional notion that wisdom and righteousness come with age.
His youthfulness might have made his struggle to part with his possessions and follow Jesus all the more striking. It serves as a lesson that even those who seem to have everything going for them, like youth and wealth, can still face spiritual challenges and barriers to discipleship.
While the man’s youth is not the primary focus of the passage, it serves to remind us that youthful earnestness, zeal and passion will be directed and focused somewhere, upon something. But are we “the older, more experienced, and knowledgeable” helping to connect youthful passion to the Story of Jesus? Or will we passively wait, hoping it will all work out as too many of our youth “go away sad” from Church for reasons that have little to do with possessions.
The first reading warns us: “The children of Israel… abandoning the LORD, the God of their fathers… followed the other gods.” (Judges 2:11-12)
Image credit: If you want to be perfect (Christ and the rich young man), A.N. Mironov 2010, Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0