Art: “In Which Basil the Great Annoys an American” by Charlie Baber, used with artist’s permission

Available online at: https://www.wesleybros.com/wesbros/in-which-st-basil-the-great-annoys-an-american/

Written by Charlie Baber, Associate Pastor at Highland United Methodist Church in Raleigh, NC

As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do so that I may inherit eternal life?” But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not give false testimony, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth.” Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But he was deeply dismayed by these words, and he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
Mark 10:17-22

A drawing in comic book style of Art: “In Which Basil the Great Annoys an American” by Charlie Baber, used with artist’s permission — Art: “In Which Basil the Great Annoys an American” by Charlie Baber, used with artist’s permission
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The reality of our world is that we are born into economic disparity, and the social structures in place create a tremendous up-hill battle for the poor.  Those with privilege who realize and care about this disparity often toss up our hands, overwhelmed by how impossible it seems to actually make a difference.  The problems are just too big, and we are too comfortable with our lifestyle to do anything meaningful.

Basil the Great (4th c.) took seriously the command of Christ to “sell your possessions and give to those in need.”  He challenged our normal objections to these words, reminding us the logic of our wealth.  If you think everything you have you earned for yourself, you are an atheist, unwilling to recognize that every good and perfect gift comes from God.  If you recognize you have nothing that you have not received from God, you must give an account for why God gave you so much and others so little.  “Is God unjust, who divided to us the things of this life unequally?”  Basil merges the reality of economic disparity with belief in a just and loving God.  Life is the way it is because God intends for you with wealth to share with you who have none.  Everything you have beyond what you need for basic survival belongs to those who don’t have enough for their own basic survival.  Because it belongs to them, you are robbing from them by keeping it for yourself, you greedy cheater-pants.

We experience the grace of God as we practice works of mercy.  As we give generously to those in need, the lines get blurred between who is being served. Giving away from your stores begins to set you free from the trap of your possessions. Meeting the people who struggle to survive, learning to love them, transforms our hearts more and more to see Christ in everyone, enlarging our hearts for peace with justice on this earth.

Prayer

Make us worthy, Lord, to serve those people throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give them peace and Joy. Amen.

-Mother Theresa