October 14, 2012

Bulletin October 14, 2012

28^th Sunday in Ordinary Time B

Wisdom 7:7-11; Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30
What do I want from life? What do I need at this point in my life when the end is a lot closer than the beginning? What do I ask God for at this point in my life?
There was a program on TV that was entitled “The Homes of the Rich and Famous”. I wonder if I just picked one of the rich and famous and asked them the same questions, what would they want from and need in life? Today’s First Reading shows Solomon, certainly one of the rich and famous, he was King David’s son and he was put in the position that he could ask God for whatever he wanted. He responded ‘prudence and wisdom’. What a surprise that is. He asked for wisdom so that he could rule sensibly and thoughtfully. He stated that this was worth more than all the riches in the world. How often I thought that if I had a little more: money or intelligence or persuasiveness or a big position or whatever, I could be better off and could do more. But could I? Maybe the “little more” would be just enough to turn me away from the path God has chosen to bring me closer to Him?
Paul continues this theme in a slightly different way in his letter to the Hebrews. What is most important to him? After God pursued him, he says that the word of God is most important. God’s word is truth; it is what God is all about: it is His love, compassion, and care for each person and His desire that every person He created be with Him in Heaven. God’s word comes to each one as the ‘right way’ to live so that I and each person can respond to His call and live the life that is in accord to His way. And God promises, this is the way to heaven.
Then Mark shares the story of the man in the gospel who ‘had it all.’ He had kept every law of God: ‘Teacher, I have observed all the commandments from my youth.’ Jesus didn’t deny this. But it also brought out a deeper question: can I gain eternal life or is eternal life a gift from God? The thesaurus gives some interesting words for ‘gain’ which makes the statement look like this: can I achieve or acquire or win, or secure or obtain eternal life on my own. And Jesus says NO. He looks at the young man and sees that he is a real good person and he has done what he said. But Jesus always goes deeper into each person; and with this man He knew there was something that was holding him back from giving his all. So Jesus said in response to the man’s question what else can I do; in other words he realized that there was still something missing in his life. Jesus hit the nail right on the head; it was his riches, he was really attached to them; he felt that he needed these. Jesus said, ‘Sell, give to the poor and become one of my disciples. The young man was sad and went away. He just couldn’t give up ‘his way’.
The authors of “Living the Word” say this:

“The wisdom prayed for in the first reading is a gift from God. Perhaps the first question that confronts us today is whether we consider wisdom worth our energy and effort, or whether we are busy pursuing what are considered more ‘practical’ objectives. Consider, however, that the wisdom of God has been described as knowledge of how to do things—in Solomon’s case, ruling wisely.

Scripture also connects the pursuit of wisdom with the pursuit of eternal life that the man is seeking in the gospel. He has come to recognize that eternal life is the supreme value, and he wants to know what he must do to inherit it. Again, wisdom as doing. When Jesus points him toward keeping the commandments, he quickly responds that he’s been doing this ‘from my youth.’

He wins Jesus’ heart with this response, so Jesus invites him to join his disciples, to be part of a new family, leaving behind his property, possessions, and all that binds him to the past. All too much! He walks away sad. ‘Who can be saved?’ asks Peter. ‘Impossible for humans, but not for God. All things are possible for God.’ Which brings us back to prayer. Ask for wisdom, the ability to do what is necessary, and more will be given than you can imagine.

God’s word is spoken of as living and effective, a two-edged sword that penetrates our heart, enables discernment, brings light, leads to right action. What does Gods’ word illuminate today?”
There is an old saying, “You can’t take it with you”; well Jesus goes even deeper making it clear that ‘not only can you not take it with you, but in this life, possessions and wealth cannot give you lasting happiness, much less entry into heaven.’
There is much for me to reflect on today:

• The Gospel reminds me not only to look at what I have but also to realize that what I do have is meant for me to get to heaven by being aware of and responsive to the needs of others. Am I doing this each day or am I looking out for me?
  
• My personal possessions can actually keep me ‘stuck at the gate of heaven’ because I am not letting go and letting God show me the way. Is it my way or God’s way in my life now?
  
• How attached am I to my possessions? Can I have an abundance of material things and still be a good Christian?
  
• Can those who love me sometimes be a stumbling block to living a good Christian life?
  
• There is an old check list that goes like this: “Make a list of your most important material possessions. Then ask yourself, one by one, why you really need that possession and what would happen if it were suddenly taken from you.”
  
• Am I as blinded as the rich young man? Is it about God or is it about me?
  

A prayer from Living the word: “God of wisdom and life, ‘teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.’ Send us Your Spirit of Wisdom and understanding that we may know the difference between what the world holds up as riches and what is of true value in Your sight.”