October 10, 2021; 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Readings: Wis. 7:7-11; Heb. 4:12-13; Mk. 10:17-30

What Are You Attached To? Let Go and Let God

1.     In the First book of Kings, Solomon had an encounter with the Lord. God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon answered and said to the Lord, “…Give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people and to govern this vast people of yours.” (1 Kings 3:5-10). Solomon asked God for the gift of wisdom. He recognized that he was a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.  He wanted to know how to govern the people entrusted to his care, to rule in equity, justice, and love. He wanted to know the difference between good and evil, to know what really mattered in life. He desired to go after the greater good rather than achieving scanty victories devoid of right judgment. His answer pleased God so much so that God said to him: “Because you have asked for this – not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right – I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you. In addition, I give you what you have not asked for, such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like.” (1 Kings 3:10-14).

2.     Wisdom is extoled in today’s first reading. It is what everyone should strive for. Wisdom is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Others are Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord. Wisdom is the first and highest gift of the Holy Spirit, because it is the perfection of faith. It makes it possible for us to value properly those things which we believe through faith. “Wisdom is a spiritual gift which enables one to know the purpose and plan of God.” (CCC 1831).

3.     Christ is the wisdom of God, the hidden treasure a man finds and hides, and sells everything to buy. He is the way, the truth and the life. He knows the way to the kingdom of God. St James tells us that “Wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstance or insincerity.” (3:17). Christ, therefore, is what the rich young man in today’s gospel wanted, he is the answer to his yearning and the aspiration of his life. The rich young man is poor indeed, without Christ. He is lacking in one thing and therefore, must go, sell “what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, then come, follow me.” He must sell everything, be detached from earthly possession in order to receive the gift of Wisdom, Christ Jesus himself.

4.     But the rich young man was too blind to see that the answer to his prayer was right there in front of him. He asked Eternal Life what he was to do to get eternal life. All he needed was to open his eyes, be detached from the clutches and shackles that hindered him. But the young man was comfortably hiding under the cloak of the law. “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” There was nothing wrong with keeping the law, he did not hurt anyone, but what else did he do? Nothing! Apart from keeping the law, Christ wanted him to dirty his hands by being useful. Go and sell what you have and give to the poor. Christ invited him to be detached from the law so that he may be free to love again. But no, he will rather die than seek the wisdom he so badly needed. His love for wealth and riches robbed him of heaven. He loved the law more than people. He did nothing wrong, but he did nothing more. He offended no one but he sinned against lady charity. Give to the poor so as to gain heaven and eternal life. But he would rather go to hell than allow a penny of his to fall into the hands of those immigrants, those poor people, those beggars, those sick people, the displaced and homeless people. After all he was not responsible for their condition. He worked hard for his money, why should he help anyone! So better die and go to hell than to help those people. Better hold on to the law and doctrines than bend down to see the needs of others.

5.     Oh yes, I pray, I fast and I keep the commandments. I adhere strictly to the law of the church, what else? My reward should be assured. But Christ want us to do more. He wants us to get involved in the lives of others. We must be Christians in word and in deed. Our Christianity must be practical. A Christian who is rich in keeping the law but lacking in charity is a dead Christian. keeping the law must go hand in hand with charitable pursuits.  We must listen to the Word and allow ourselves to be affected by the Word. Many times, we leave the church sad because the pastor said something we do not like or agree with. Remember the rich young man, he went away sad because he did not like what Christ asked him to do. The Word and the Wisdom of God, Christ Jesus himself invites us to dig deep and throw in our nets into the deep water for a catch; are we ready to listen to him? You may say that you have no riches, you have no wealth, you have no money. You may even say that Christ was not talking about you because you do not have these things. But wait a minute. What about your attachment to things, to anger, to hurts, to aggression and to your way of life? If we do not detach from all those things that hinder us from seeing Christ, our way to the Father we will go away sad and miss the kingdom. Let us therefore pray for the gift of wisdom and most especially for the wisdom of God. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit may enlighten us to see Christ inviting us to take that path that will lead us to God. May we see in our poor, the pathway to eternal life. If today, you listen to his voice harden not you heart! Amen.

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.