Called to be Authentic

Scripture: Job 23:1-9, 16-17 and Psalm 22:1-15  • Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 and Psalm 90:12-17  • Hebrews 4:12-16  • Mark 10:17-31

Beset by tragedy and loss, Job is not defeated. He may be at a loss for what has happened to him, but he is authentic. He knows he has not done anything to deserve his fate. He opines that If he could argue his case he knows that God will be just and exonerate him.

The psalmist asks why has God forsaken him. Jesus recites Psalm 22 on the cross. Amos calls Israel to take account of the gross inequities of the time and the lot and despair of the poor in that society.

Jesus tells the rich young ruler, who asked him how he can have eternal life, and told Jesus that he has obeyed all the commandments. What does Jesus tell him to do? What does the rich young ruler lack? Why does he walk away grieving.

What is it to be authentic? God does not simply ask for obedience. We are lovingly created in his image with freedom to choose our paths along life's journey. We ask again, what again is "abundant life" Jesus came to give us? 

The articles for reading this week are "The Perils of Riches," by Kenneth Carder, and "Material Things," by Andrew Warner.