Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B
October 13, 2024 – 10:30 AM
Saint Cecilia Catholic Community
Deacon Sharon Kay Talley
Wisdom 7:7-11 | Psalm 90:12-17
Hebrews 4:12-13 | Mark 10:17-30
+In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
When the wise old sage reached the outskirts of the village and settled under a tree for the night, a villager came running up to him and said, “the stone, the stone! Give me the precious stone!” “What stone?” asked the sage. “ Last night in a dream, I was told that if I went to the outskirts of the village at dusk, a sage would give me a stone that would make me rich forever!” The sage rummaged in his sack, and pulling out a stone, he said, “It is probably this one. I found it in the forest yesterday. Here, it’s yours if you want it.”
The man gasped at the stone in wonder. It was the largest diamond in the world! Later that night, the man tossed about in bed. At break of day, he woke the sage and said “Give me the wealth that makes it possible for you to give this stone away!”
This story emphasizes the fact that daily life in today’s world revolves around money. But today, Jesus tells us how we all can be wise with wisdom and understanding, just like the sage in this story!
Different countries, communities, and churches have varying perspectives on wealth and how to use it to help others. In some cultures, accumulating wealth is seen as a way to demonstrate success and status, while in others, generosity and giving back to the community are highly valued.
For example, in Western cultures like the United States, there is a strong emphasis on individual achievement and personal wealth accumulation. However, many churches and charitable organizations also play a significant role in promoting philanthropy and supporting those in need.
In contrast, in some Eastern cultures like Japan, there is less emphasis on personal wealth and more focus on collective prosperity and harmony within the community. Overall, regardless of cultural differences most societies recognize the importance of using wealth to help those less fortunate through various charitable initiatives and social programs.
Our first reading from the Book of Wisdom tells of the importance of wisdom and understanding in our lives, emphasizing that wisdom is a priceless treasure to be cherished. Wisdom will guide us and protect us as well as lead us towards righteousness. Wisdom is a gift from God to help us find success and fulfillment in our lives. With wisdom as our companion, we can navigate life’s challenges with grace and confidence.
The second reading from Hebrews declares that the Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword penetrating even to the dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. By this, we are informed that nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight, everything is uncovered and laid bare before Him. We are told of the transformative power of God’s Word in our lives, cutting through deception, exposing truth, and leading us to a closer relationship with God.
Today’s Gospel from Mark focuses on a rich young man who approaches Jesus and asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. This story challenges us to examine our own attachments to material possessions.
–Do you live in a multi-million dollar home?
–Do you drive a “luxury” car?
–Do you travel to exotic places?
–Do you shop indulgently on expensive items that have “status”?
–Does your home include a luxury shower for your dog?
–Do you spend $600 on gold toothpicks?
Today, Jesus challenges us to examine our own attachment to material possessions and our willingness to forgo them to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
The rich young man in the Gospel passage is described as earnest and well-intentioned, but, he is ultimately unable to fully commit to Jesus because of his attachment to his wealth. This serves as a powerful reminder to all of us about the dangers of placing our trust in material possessions rather than in God. We may not be as wealthy as the young man in the Gospel, but we all have things that we cling to and that prevent us from fully surrendering to God. It could be money, possessions., status, or believe it or not, even relationships or family that hold us back from a deeper relationship with God.
Sometimes, we must make sacrifices in our lives and let go of things that are hindering our spiritual growth. Just as Jesus calls the rich young man to sell his possessions and follow Him, we too are called to make sacrifices in order to live out our faith more authentically. This may involve letting go of our own agendas and desires in order to allow God to work in and through us.
It is important to note that in our Gospel, the rich young man struggles to trust Jesus completely, as he is unwilling to give up his possessions. When we reflect on our own level of trust in God, are you willing to surrender control of your own life to God? When Jesus tells the disciples that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God, this challenges us to re-examine our own priorities and ask ourselves whether or not we are truly seeking the Kingdom of God above everything else.
So, let me ask you, if you are sincerely a follower of Jesus, what is it that you have to let go of in order to follow Jesus more closely? This may involve making concrete changes in your life such as simplifying material possessions or committing yourself to a
life of service and generosity. Additionally, there might be an area unknown to us which is causing a detachment from God. Or perhaps we are allowing our material wealth to become an obstacle between us and God as Jesus tells us how the attachment to wealth is the greatest hindrance to God and eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Wisdom can help us identify these problems and lead us to spiritual fulfillment.
By having more trust in God, by making sacrifices in order to be closer to God, and by prioritizing our lives to seek the Kingdom of God above all else as Jesus wants us to do, we will be on the pathway to eternal life and experience peace and happiness on our journey through life.
Amen.