The rich young man in the gospel and St. Kateri Tekakwitha both encounter Jesus Christ. Their stories can help us recognize and reflect on encounters with Jesus in our lives.
Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem with his disciples when the rich, young man runs up, kneels in front of him, and questions, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life.” Jesus gives a usual Jewish answer. Keep the ten commandments. The young man does; he leads a good life. But he is looking for more.
When Jesus calls the young man to give his wealth to the poor and follow him, Jesus goes one too far. The young man can’t take that radical step and leaves grieving. He cannot imagine himself without his wealth and lifestyle. He cannot imagine living an itinerant life on the road with Jesus and his disciples, nor can he imagine the positive power of faith and friendship with Jesus.
In the history of the Church many people have responded to the call the young man refuses. They have sold their possessions, given the money to the poor, and often worked with the poor. Typically Christians who choose to become voluntarily poor belong to religious communities of sisters, brothers, and priests and help sustain one another.
Both St. Damian, a Sacred Heart father, and St. Marianne, a Franciscan sister, answer Jesus’ call. They give their lives to working with people who are poor and outcast because of their illness.
Kateri Tekakwitha encounters Jesus through the early missionaries to North America. Priests follow explorers and fur traders to the new continent to spread the gospel. Kateri’s uncle has good reason to oppose the blackrobes. For Native Peoples, history holds trails of tears and losses of language and culture.
For Kateri Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross and his presence in the Eucharist make sense of her life. Faith in Jesus transforms the strength and suffering that her life already requires. She finds transformation in Jesus’ suffering because he suffers for others. She finds more in the life of prayer she discovers when she visits the Ursuline Sisters in Montreal.
Unlike the rich young man who turns away, St. Kateri follows and imitates Jesus. She integrates her Mohawk composure and courage with her new Christian life. Her vow of virginity means she will be poor with no husband to hunt for her.
Many young Catholics today encounter Jesus in hearing a call to solidarity with the poor of our world. Many have become global citizens, aware we live in an interdependent world. Driving our cars in the United States contributes to raising the sea levels on islands in the Pacific. Clothing bought in the U.S. may be made by 16 years olds in sweatshops in Nicaragua. Coffee mocha at the corner coffee shop benefits families in Guatemala if it is fair trade.
Solidarity is a principle of Catholic social teaching. The word derives from the Latin word sol, which means whole. Solidarity assumes the human race is one human family, whatever our national, ethnic, racial, economic, or political differences. The work of solidarity is making sure that our neighbors have food, clothing, shelter, education, and health care. It means working for just and fair public policies.
Catholic social teaching proclaims that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We are one human family.
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1939-1942
