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I was running to the top of Sleeping Giant in Hamden yesterday morning, thinking about the encounter between the rich young man and Jesus in the Gospel we heard last Sunday. As Mark tells us, the man "ran up, knelt before [Jesus] and asked: 'What must I do to inherit eternal life?'" When reflecting on this Gospel at World Youth Day many years ago, the late Pope Benedict XVI emphasized the significance of the young man "running" to Jesus, seeing it as a sign of urgency in his heart and his question. He urged that we, too, should not hesitate to run to Jesus with our own life-shaping, life-changing questions, such as: "What must I do? Am I satisfied with my life? Is there something missing? What must I do for my life to have full value and meaning?"
As I reflected on these questions, I was focused on the climb, as well as the rugged path beneath me, when suddenly, a squirrel bolted across the path, practically under my feet. Jolted briefly from my ruminations on the Gospel, I thought about that squirrel for the next few strides. I didn't realize it at the time, but it just so happens to be Squirrel Awareness Month, so my pondering seemed to be aptly timed.
Lacking the nimbleness of a squirrel, I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest that these awesome creatures embody qualities we might aspire to in our spiritual journey. The squirrel darting across my path was on a mission—all in with a sense of clarity and purpose. He was like the rich young man who ran to Jesus, eager to find the answer to that all-important question, which for just a few precious moments seemed to bring clarity and purpose to his life.
When we see a squirrel in action, there’s no mistaking its focus and determination. Whether it’s gathering acorns, leaping from branch to bird feeder, or navigating their way up and down trees (that they can turn their ankles 180 degrees and have an additional toe on each of their back feet helps the downward sprint), the squirrel has an incredible drive and agility. It’s quick, resourceful, and, most importantly, it doesn’t waste time when it’s on a mission.
In our spiritual lives, how often do we approach Jesus with the same sense of urgency and focus? The rich young man sought to inherit eternal life, and he knew Jesus had the answer. Yet, the challenge for him—and for us—is not just in asking the question, but in being ready to act on the answer. Like squirrels, we might find ourselves darting from task to task, gathering what we think we need to feel secure or successful. But are we ready to stop, look, and listen when Jesus says, "You lack one thing"?
Squirrels store up acorns, and by doing so, they unknowingly plant seeds that grow into mighty trees. Similarly, our seemingly small acts of faith and love impact the world around us in ways we never see or fully realize. Maybe we don’t always recognize the fruits of our efforts, but God uses our actions to bring about growth and new life, just as those forgotten acorns become new trees.
So maybe let’s take a lesson from the squirrel. Let’s run with purpose, not just across the trails but toward Jesus, asking Him those big, life-shaping questions. Let’s not be afraid to leap, even when the branches seem far apart, trusting that He will catch us. And just like the squirrel that plants trees it will never see, let’s be generous with our love and trust that God will bring about something beautiful from it.
Next time you see a squirrel, living out its purpose with all-in enthusiasm and agility, ask yourself: What am I running toward? What seeds am I planting, even when I’m not aware of it? And most importantly, am I running to Jesus, ready to listen, and willing to follow?
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