Several years ago, someone gave me a children's book, 14 Cows for America, written by Carmen Agra Deedy and magnificently illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. It only took me a few minutes to read it and it brought tears to my eyes. This heart-warming book tells the story of Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, a young Maasai man from Kenya studying in the United States who witnessed the tragedy of September 11, 2001. When Kimeli returns to his village for a visit, he tells the villagers the story of September 11 and seeks permission from the village elders to give his only cow to America. The elders agree and offer an additional 13 cows "because there is no nation so powerful it cannot be wounded, nor a people so small they cannot offer mighty comfort."
You may be wondering how 14 Cows for America relates to today's
readings. Our gospel, Mark 10: 17 - 30,
tells the story of the rich man who runs up to Jesus, kneels before him and
asks, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" After going through the commandments, Jesus
tells the man "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." We all know this story. The man walks away from Jesus sad because
"he had many possessions."
Jesus looks around at his disciples and remarks, "Children, how
hard it is to enter the kingdom
of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the
eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of
God." The rich man was not willing
to sacrifice his wealth to enter the kingdom.
Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, on the other hand, was willing to sacrifice his
most vital possession, Enkarûs, his cow, to console us, the people of America
in our time of profound grief.
For the Maasai people "the cow is
life." Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah and
the people of his village sacrificed a major proportion of their livelihood to
help build the kingdom
of God. Their gift sent a message of compassion,
peace and hope to all the people of the world.
And it raises a question for us.
How much are we willing to sacrifice to help build the kingdom? How much of our time, talent and treasure
will we share so we can "inherit eternal life"?
You know, O God, our thoughts and intentions,
and from your sight no creature can hide.
Pierce our inmost heart
with the two-edged sword of your Word.
Enlightened by your wisdom,
and freed from preoccupation with this world's wealth,
may we welcome the presence among us of signs of your kingdom,
a treasure beyond compare.
We ask this through Jesus,
the high priest who sympathizes with our weakness,
for he is with you and the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
AMEN.
