October 10, 2021
28th Sunday Ordinary Time B
We detect urgency in the Gospel according to St. Mark. Jesus is on the move. A man runs up, kneels down and asks: “Good Teacher – What must I do to inherit eternal life? We infer that he is a young man from his energy, excitement and desire to please. He greets Jesus: “Good Teacher.†Jesus presumes integrity and sincerity. “You know the commandments.†He is an observant Jew. But Jesus senses a deeper longing and looks at him with love and says: “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.â€
The man walks away sad. “His face fell.†He had many possessions. Are we to assume all is lost and he never discovers what he must do to inherit eternal life? If we are correct in assuming that he is young there is still time for him to learn what is truly precious. For many of us it takes a life time.
The Book of Wisdom and the Letter to the Hebrews give us hope that he finds his way back to Jesus. Wisdom in the Bible is an attribute of God and is personified as a Lady. The author prays “and prudence was given to me … the spirit of wisdom came to me … I preferred her to scepter and throne and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her.†The author of the Letter to the Hebrews writes: “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.†Wisdom is the gift of discernment and insight. The Word of God cuts through the deception that we can keep what we have for our own benefit.
There is one more thing that lends hope that this young man reconsiders the path Jesus sets out for him. Jesus looks at him with love! He will never forget. Jesus does not coerce us into following him. Jesus always invites.
But the invitation is a challenge. Jesus does not lead people on. Jesus cuts to the essential requirement to enter the Kingdom of God. “You are lacking in one thing.†Let go. Surrender. Trust and follow me. It is both the blessing and cost of discipleship.
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27th Sunday Ordinary B
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29th Sunday Ordinary B
