T HE BLINDNESS OF MATERIAL WEALTH IN MARK 10:17-27: A LESSON FOR THE SEMINARIAN OF 21ST CENTURY
The seminarian of the 21 st century lives in an era characterized by grave political instability, insecurity and economic crises laden with a high cost of living. Thus, to forestall this unbearable situation, many youths have abandoned their schools, trades, towns, families to embark on various crude and evil means of survival. Some have taken to prostitution, seeking greener pastures via the crude Libyan route, kidnapping, advance free fraud etc. The consequence of this enormous, the streets, shops and craft workshops are deserted without apprentices and families are in pains and tears at the death of their children who have lost their lives. Again, the insufficient manpower in various communities has heightened the level of suffering and poverty in the land. Apart from that, it is really difficult to convince the few youths left at home not to embark on such venture since the few who are acclaimed ‘successful’ display their flirts of cars and material wealth in a fascinating manner for all to see. However, the encounter between Jesus and the young rich man in the text of Mk10:17-27 reveals the essence of human life and its destiny and the blindness of material wealth. The tragic decision to turn down the invitation of Christ reflects a greater love for his material possessions than for the everlasting bliss of eternal life offered by Christ Jesus. This brings to mind the basic question what is the essence of life? And what is the meaning of success and the source of happiness? How can a disciple of Christ define his identity in this situation? Thus, this paper hopes to undertake a detailed exegesis of the text, its theological functions in its immediate and wider context and its theological significance for the seminarian of the 21 st century. It will also proffer a number of recommendations to strengthen the discourse on the authentic formation of the seminarian of the 21 st century.
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