October 11, 2015

28^th Sunday in Ordinary Time B

Wisdom 7: 7-11; Hebrews 4: 12-13; Mark 10: 17-30

What do my conversations with others consist of? When there is a lull in the conversation with people close to me, what topic do I bring up? Are there times when I prefer not to talk about God? When the conversation comes around to God, do I find myself being absent or noticeably quiet? Do I enjoy talking about God and how He has touched my life and the life of others? What do I place before God in my life?

The theme for today’s readings from Living the Word, Scripture Reflections and Commentaries for Sunday’s and Holy Days is: “Like it or not, there are things we do in this life that slow down – sometimes halt – our progress to eternal life. ‘Get rid of them’ is Jesus’ advice! Am I doing that?

The first reading is taken from the Book of Wisdom which was written fifty or so years before Jesus. We do not know the author’s name but he was a member of the Jewish community at Alexandria in Egypt. At times he speaks in the person of Solomon in order to emphasize the importance and value of his words. Today, as he often does, he praises the personified Wisdom and attempts to exhibit that true Wisdom comes from God. And most important, it is given to people who search for Wisdom. The author shows that Solomon in giving up his throne, scepter, and riches, he received “countless riches at her hands.” Which leads to a wonderful reflection as to what is it that I find difficult in ‘letting go’? What do I have to have? If I don’t have it, I find that I am constantly searching for it or ‘more’ of it until my satisfaction is complete.

In the second reading, Paul says that “The Word of God is living and effective…No creature is concealed from Him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must render an account.” The Greek word logos has several connotations. The word of God’ could mean the work spoken by God or the word about God. One thought is that like John in the Prologue to his Gospel who uses ‘Word’ as a metaphor for Jesus, Paul is referring to Jesus. But this does not appear any other place in Paul’s letter to the Hebrews. Here this ‘word’ is about God and everyone must not only listen to it but must also change their lives accordingly.

Mark’s gospel makes many people stop in their tracks. The thought is that Jesus is telling people they have to give up and sell everything and give to the poor and to live a life of a hermit. There are so many examples of people who did exactly that especially Francis of Assisi and closer to our time, Charles de Foucauld. Is this what Jesus is saying that I need to do? Is there any hope for me?

The potential disciple who came to Jesus today certainly was surprised by the astounding words of Jesus. Jesus is continuing His final trip to Jerusalem which will end with His death on the cross. He encounters this man who is urgently needing an answer. Mark says that this man “ran up, knelt down before Jesus, and asked Him, ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’” Since no one ‘runs’ in the hot Palestinian sun, we know his question is urgent. Jesus immediately switches the focus from Himself to God, with “No one is good but God alone.” Jesus then shares what is written in the Ten Commandments, He chooses only the ones that deal with duties toward one’s neighbor. The man had followed these religiously since his youth. Paul felt the same as he shares in Phil 3:6. Rabbis thought it was possible to keep the whole law. This man’s riches would have allowed him to be completely compliant with the ritual purity laws. And Jesus loved him! He does not contradict him in any way. Jesus saw great possibility in this man who was concerned to keep the law and to have eternal life. So Jesus responds with the same call that the disciples had received in Mark 1: 17, 18, 20; 2:14. Jesus’ responded to the man’s spiritual problem, it is not to be understood as a general rule for discipleship. The man was ‘sad’ and went away; ‘shocked’ is another; ‘becoming gloomy’ is a more accurate translation of Mark’s word. The man was attached to his wealth. Attachment is at the spiritual root of his problem, as are his priorities. Seemingly the man has a greater desire for his possessions than for eternal life. Living the Word for today shares this commentary: “This man is not alone. When Jesus speaks of how hard it is for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God, he is recognizing how money exerts such an attractive force on us that we are constantly tempted to put it first in our lives. But that is the place that only God should occupy. Money seems to promise the happiness and security that only God can deliver. Both of the things that we should not discuss in polite company – sex and money – are truly genuinely good things. But when we put them in place of God, when we prefer them to God’s kingdom, then we become like the camel trying to squeeze through the eye of the needle.”

Jesus does not say that it is impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom, but it is hard. The disciples are really confused. They had been taught that having ‘riches’ was a sign of God’s favor, but Jesus broadens the scope explaining that it is hard for all to enter the kingdom. The disciples are not making the connection between the kingdom and salvation. ‘To be saved’ is to enter the kingdom and entrance always comes as a gift. Salvation is always by God’s grace. Dr. Bonnie Thurston, a Marcan scholar, offers this reflection in Preaching Mark, “’I’m never going to be really wealthy, so this passage has nothing to say to me.’ In fact, the passage asks that we consider what are our greatest obstacles to entering the kingdom. To what do we cling that we should be willing to let go of? Perhaps, as vv. 28-31 suggest, it may be our sense of ourselves as disciples of Jesus! Do we think that by our various renunciations or our acceptance of persecution for Jesus and for the sake of the gospel we have ‘earned’ the kingdom/salvation? If so, we may find “in the age to come” that we were very much mistaken. The sermon that plumbs the spiritual depths of this passage goes well beyond the matter of wealth and possessions.” So I reflect on:

• Do I feel that my good intentions and following the laws of the Church are sufficient for eternal life?
• I am to strive to love God above all things, love neighbors as myself and practice the teaching of Jesus in my daily life. Can I do this by myself? Absolutely not…I need God’s help!
• To love God above and live as Jesus did I must let go of things that hinder me from growing in my love for the Lord. Am I doing this?
• What is keeping me from following Jesus? What in my life am I choosing above Jesus? What in my life is keeping me from prayer? What in my life is keeping me from loving each person in my life? What in my life makes me afraid to be Catholic in public?

Sacred Space 2015 adds:

“The man’s riches are not the problem as such, but his attitude toward them. It is as if he is possessed by his own possessions and not in charge of them. Wealth and material things can subtly control us.’

Do material things or worldly considerations get in the way of my relations with God and with others? Am I missing out on the real treasures in life – health, faith, friendship, love …?”