“You lack one thing” / “Una cosa te falta”

A reflection based on Mark 10:17-27 / Una reflexión basada en Marcos 10:17-27


A tree cut down in the forest due to infestation / Un árbol cortado en el bosque debido a infestación

by/por Magdalena I. García

“You lack one thing,” Jesus says
to the rich young man
because it’s not enough
to keep the first commandment
while disregarding the second
and the needs of one’s neighbors.

“You lack one thing,” Jesus says
because it’s not enough
to praise the Good Teacher
while allowing ambassadors of evil
to oppress nations and misrule the world.

“You lack one thing,” Jesus says
because it’s not enough
to refrain from committing murder
while allowing violence and wars
to claim the lives of innocent civilians.

“You lack one thing,” Jesus says
because it’s not enough
to abstain from adultery
while allowing elected officials
to betray their oath and the trust of the people.

“You lack one thing,” Jesus says
because it’s not enough
to resist the urge to steal
while allowing public lands and resources
to be confiscated and decimated.

“You lack one thing,” Jesus says
because it’s not enough
to refuse to testify falsely
while allowing lies and distortions
to be hurled against immigrants.

“You lack one thing,” Jesus says
because it’s not enough
to avoid the opportunity to cheat
while allowing unscrupulous scammers
to subvert elections and persecute their opponents.

“You lack one thing,” Jesus says
because it’s not enough
to pledge devotion to a heavenly Father
while neglecting your earthly father and mother
to pursue your own interests.

“You lack one thing,” Jesus says
because it’s not enough
to appear righteous but lack integrity,
or you will be like a fallen tree
whose outer bark is intact
but is rotten at the core.

%%%

“Una cosa te falta,” dice Jesús
al joven rico
porque no basta
con guardar el primer mandamiento
mientras ignoras el segundo
y las necesidades de tus vecinos.

“Una cosa te falta,” dice Jesús
porque no basta
con alabar al Maestro Bueno
mientras permites que los embajadores del mal
opriman a las naciones y desgobiernen el mundo.

“Una cosa te falta,” dice Jesús
porque no basta
con contenerte y no cometer asesinato
mientras permites que la violencia y las guerras
cobren la vida de civiles inocentes.

“Una cosa te falta,” dice Jesús
porque no basta
con abstenerse del adulterio
mientras permites que los oficiales electos
traicionen sus votos y la confianza del pueblo.

“Una cosa te falta,” dice Jesús
porque no basta
con resistir las ganas de robar
mientras permites que las tierras y los recursos públicos
sean confiscados y decimados.

“Una cosa te falta,” dice Jesús
porque no basta
con rehusar dar falso testimonio
mientras permites que mentiras y distorsiones
sean lanzadas contra los inmigrantes.

“Una cosa te falta,” dice Jesús
porque no basta
con evitar la oportunidad de estafar
mientras permites que timadores inescrupulosos
subviertan las elecciones y persigan a sus oponentes.

“Una cosa te falta,” dice Jesús
porque no basta
con prometer devoción a un Padre celestial
mientras descuidas a tu padre y tu madre terrenal
por perseguir tus propios intereses.

“Una cosa te falta,” dice Jesús
porque no basta
con aparentar rectitud sin tener integridad,
o serás como un árbol caído
cuya corteza está intacta
aunque está podrido por dentro.

© Magdalena I. García

Permission granted for liturgical use with author credit / Se concede permiso para uso litúrgico con crédito a la autora