28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr.B - Seek wisdom from God
Ref. Ws.: 7:7-11; Ps. 90: 12-17; Mk 10:17-30 Oct-12/13-24 Dcn. Bill Kenney
In my business travels to Japan, I was sometimes invited to work friend’s homes for dinner and socializing. In some homes, elderly parents and grandparents lived there- perhaps out of practical necessity for care and to share limited resources. Traditionally, Japanese people value the wisdom, knowledge, and life experience of their elders. Japan has been influenced by countries like China, where respect for the elderly is also traditionally valued. Peter Kreeft explains that, “In China, to say you looked “old” is a compliment because it meant you looked wise; to say you looked young was an insult because it meant you looked foolish.” I wonder what the makers and recipients of Botox think of that!
Our first reading from the OT and the Psalm passage are both about the gift of Wisdom. Wisdom is a spiritual gift that helps us traverse our pilgrim journey with a deeper understanding of God’s will. Wisdom sharpens our perception, guiding us to make choices that align with God’s will and bringing us closer to His truth and our fulfillment in life.
To receive such a gift, we must repeatedly ask for it through prayer and grow in it throughout the course of life experiences. Wisdom is a gift preferred to all others, one that ushers in other gifts from God in order to fulfill his will in our lives. King Solomon prayed for this gift above all fleeting wealth and power, and even more than a long, healthy life. The Psalmist says, “Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain wisdom of heart”. Life is short. We have only a finite time and opportunity to ask, receive, and practice wisdom, as in passing wisdom on to household family members. “Prosper the work of our hands” O Lord, through the gift of wisdom.
Our Gospel reading introduces the rich man and us to the face of Wisdom, Jesus Christ. The rich man ran to Jesus and knelt before him. What a wonderful outward expression of faith! Jesus, however, rebukes the man for his title, “Good”, not because Jesus denies his divinity, but because the rich man uses the title without the wisdom of knowing God, who is standing before him. He asks a profound, existential question we should all ask ourselves: “What must I do to inherit eternal life”?
Jesus loved him for his devout Jewish faith in following the six Social Justice Commandments from his youth. But Jesus knew his heart, knew he was lacking one thing: “You shall not have other gods beside me.” His many possessions were his gods, possessing him, not allowing him to comply to Jesus’ command. To him, they were “good” as Jesus was “good”. The rich man’s sadness, his deep sense of grief, reveals the struggle between his attachment to his wealth and his desire for eternal life. This story highlights the challenge of our letting go of material possessions, that which we think brings fulfillment, in order to embrace the fullness of life that Christ offers.
Today’s readings challenge us to reflect on what we truly value and seek in our lives, comparing and contrasting it with the wisdom and love God has and gives to each of us. The encounter between the rich man and Jesus awakens us to consider how we might apply the wisdom we seek from God. Are we willing to let go of whomever or whatever stops us from following Christ more closely? How does God’s word encourage us to examine our lives and our deepest desires?
In our own lives, we are invited to seek the divine wisdom that guides us toward a deeper understanding of God’s will. Through the gift of wisdom may we allow the living Word of God to penetrate our hearts and transform us. May this gift also open our hearts to encounter the love and true presence of Jesus at our reception of the Holy Eucharist.
May we, like the rich man, confront our own obstacles with honesty and openness, trusting that God’s grace can make all things possible. Let us pray for the wisdom to discern our true priorities and the courage to follow Christ faithfully above all things;
for the wisdom of knowing that in Christ, and not from worldly pleasures or material wealth, we will realize ultimate fulfillment in our present lives and joy in our eternal salvation, giving all praise and glory to God.