Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 13, 2024 — Year B
Readings: Wis 7:7-11 / Ps 90 / Heb 4:12-13 / Mk 17-30
by Rev. Nixon Negparanon, Pastor

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the deep and challenging call to follow Christ, especially when it comes to the things we value most in life.

We begin with the first reading, from the book of Wisdom, where King Solomon prays for wisdom.  He says, “I prayed, and prudence was given me.  I pleaded and the spirit of wisdom came to me.  I preferred her to scepter and throne.” (Wis 7:7-8)

Solomon, though a king with great wealth, acknowledges that true wisdom is far more valuable than gold or riches.  It is wisdom that leads us to God and guides our decisions toward the ultimate good.

The second reading, from Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, also emphasizes the power of God’s word: “Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword.” (Hebrews 4:12) God’s word penetrates our hearts, revealing our deepest desires, intentions, and motivations.  It uncovers what is truly important and what might be holding us back from fully embracing the Gospel.  It is a call to introspection and transformation.

In today’s gospel from Mark, we encounter the story of the rich young man who approaches Jesus and asks, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10:17) Jesus responds by listing the commandments, but the young man, who has kept these from his youth, still senses that something is lacking.  Jesus tells him, “Go. Sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come follow Me.”  (Mk 10:21) This invitation is too difficult for the young man, who leaves in sorrow because he had many possessions.

This gospel challenges us to ask ourselves, what do we truly value in life?  Are there things, relationships, or ambitions that we are holding onto more tightly than our relationship with Christ?  Jesus’ invitation to the rich young man is not about condemning wealth or success, but about removing whatever obstacle that prevents us from fully following Him.  For some, it might be wealth, but for others, it might be pride, ambition, or even fear of change.

Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium,” speaks to this directly: “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus…a joy ever new, a joy which is shared.”  The young man in the gospel did not experience this joy because his heart was weighed down by his possessions.  Pope Francis reminds us that true joy, lasting joy, comes only when we are willing to let go of our attachments and follow Jesus with a free and open heart.

An Argentinian entrepreneur, Enrique Shaw, who is on the path to sainthood, exemplifies how one can balance wealth with a deep commitment to faith and social responsibility.  Shaw was a successful businessman, but he did not let his prosperity distance him from the needs of his workers or his faith.  He founded a Christian workers association promoting fair wages and showed he cared deeply for the wellbeing of his employees.  During a financial crisis, instead of laying off his workers, he found ways to keep them employed, showing that his wealth was a means to serve others rather than serving himself.

Shaw’s life echoes the message of the gospel.  True wealth is found in following Christ and using what we have to serve others.  Like the rich young man, we are invited to examine our attachment to material things and ask whether we can let them go to follow Christ more fully.  Unlike the young man, Shaw shows us that it is possible to live generously, using our resources to reflect God’s love in the world.

In both the gospel and Shaw’s example, we see that it is not the possession of wealth, but how we use it and what we prioritize, that defines our discipleship.  Jesus calls us to place our trust, not in earthly treasures, but in the promise of eternal life.

Our readings today first remind us that we must seek wisdom like Solomon.  We should pray for the wisdom to discern what is truly important in our lives.  In a world that constantly pushes us toward material success and fleeting pleasures, we need wisdom to choose what is eternal, to value relationships over riches, and to seek God’s will above all else.

Second, we need to examine our attachments.  Are there things that we hold dear that might be hindering our relationship with God?  This could be our career, our possessions, our status, or even our comfort zones.  Jesus challenges us, like the rich young man, to let go of whatever prevents us from fully embracing the Gospel.

Furthermore, we are called to share our blessings.  Jesus’ invitation to give to the poor is a reminder that the blessings we have received are not meant to be hoarded but shared.  Whether it is material wealth, time, or talents, we are called to be generous and to use what we have to serve others, especially the poor and marginalized.

Finally, we must respond with joy.  The joy of the Gospel is something we are called to live and share.  When we place our trust in God and follow Christ, we experience a deep and lasting joy that no material possession can provide.  It is the joy of knowing that we are loved by God and that we are living out His plan for our lives.

Saint Padre Pio said, “In our spiritual life, he who does not advance goes backward.  It happens, as with a boat, which always must go ahead.  If it stands still, the wind will blow it back.”  This statement powerfully complements the message from today’s readings, emphasizing the necessity of continual growth in our relationship with God.  When we remain stagnant in our faith, we avoid that necessary challenge.  The rich young man was living a comfortable faith, but Jesus called him to something deeper.  Padre Pio’s words remind us that there is no neutral ground in our spiritual life.  We are either progressing toward God or being pushed backward by the forces of complacency, fear, and attachment.

In our lives, this means daily striving to deepen our relationship with Christ, continuously letting go of whatever holds us back and trusting in God’s wisdom to guide us forward.  If we do not advance, the spiritual whims of destruction, temptation, or worldly attachments will slowly pull us away from the path to eternal life.  Just as a boat must constantly move against the current, so too, must we always seek to grow closer to God.

As we reflect on today’s readings, let us ask for the grace to seek true wisdom, to examine our attachments, to be generous with our blessings, and to follow Christ with joyful hearts.  May we, unlike the rich young man, accept the Lord’s invitation with faith and courage, trusting that the treasure He offers us in heaven is far greater than anything this world can give.