Oct. 11th 2009: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wis 7:7-11, Heb 4:12-13, Mk 10:17-30
"and he went away sad, for he had many possessions". Oboy, Jesus sure knows how to push your buttons sometimes. This nameless man came to Jesus with such enthusiasm only to leave dejected by the answer, at least the second part of the answer. He had probably patted himself on the back for being a good observer of the law; I mean he was quick to quip on the first part of the answer by saying "Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth." In his mind he probably thought 'I'm in". Then came the second part out of left field: "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." Scriture says "and he went away sad, for he had many possessions". He couldn't give them up even on Jesus's promise "you will have treasure in heaven". As Shakespeare would say "Aye that's the rub". The question goes deep: do I possess things or do things possess me? Most of us work hard for what we have and should enjoy our accomplishments but the Scriptures warn us to be careful that we don't think of them as the qualifier of our life. You know the old bumper sticker: "who dies with the most toys wins". In our consumer society it is so easy to become carried away by materialism; Madison Ave. is constanly working to get us to shop, shop, shop, buy buy, buy and we can end up with cupboards and drawful of things we don't need or certainly don't use often. Even the Apostles had problems with this after all wealth was considered a blessing from God. Just like last week's Gospel when Jesus spoke of marriage and divorce, they questioned him privately about it. They had bought into the status quo as everyone else as well.
Jesus' message is a simple one yet difficult for us to follow: we should not be preoccupied with accumulation of wealth or possessions but rather be preoccupied with the sharing of it. Jesus' way sees wealth as a means of charity not an end to itself. That is his way; to give all, even his very life. I hope hearing today's Gospel challenges you as it challenges me; I ask myself what am I clinging to? What am I still hesitant to let go of? Indeed as we hear in the second reading: "the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart."
Who can be saved, the apostles asked? That will be the person that acquires wisdom as we hear in the first reading. Solomon is accorded great wealth and success because he sought Wisdom over all material things. This is not smarts that come from the head but rather it comes from the heart. God will not judge us by the size of our homes, cars, bank accounts or investment portfolios but rather the size our heart. Did we love others? Did we share with others?
I hope today as you encounter Christ in word and sacrament,that even though you may be challenged by His words you will leave here with joy not saddened like the rich man, because you leave here a seeker of wisdom like Solomon instead.
Peace.
Jesus' message is a simple one yet difficult for us to follow: we should not be preoccupied with accumulation of wealth or possessions but rather be preoccupied with the sharing of it. Jesus' way sees wealth as a means of charity not an end to itself. That is his way; to give all, even his very life. I hope hearing today's Gospel challenges you as it challenges me; I ask myself what am I clinging to? What am I still hesitant to let go of? Indeed as we hear in the second reading: "the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart."
Who can be saved, the apostles asked? That will be the person that acquires wisdom as we hear in the first reading. Solomon is accorded great wealth and success because he sought Wisdom over all material things. This is not smarts that come from the head but rather it comes from the heart. God will not judge us by the size of our homes, cars, bank accounts or investment portfolios but rather the size our heart. Did we love others? Did we share with others?
I hope today as you encounter Christ in word and sacrament,that even though you may be challenged by His words you will leave here with joy not saddened like the rich man, because you leave here a seeker of wisdom like Solomon instead.
Peace.