HOMILY FOR 28TH SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY FOR 28TH SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED?
BY: Fr Peter Gabriel Okon
Wisdom 7:7-11; Psalm 90:12-13.14.15.16-17 (R.14); Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30
One of the most profound and fundamental questions of life is asked today in our Gospel reading: “Good master, What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). The speaker here is a rich young man. Possibly exposed to all forms of riches and affluence, but therein found no lasting peace or fulfillment. He found himself increasingly empty and thirsty. He needed something more and lasting. However, the response of Jesus admonishing him to exchange his riches for eternal life didn’t go down well. He was attached to his riches and couldn’t let go. He made the choice to keep his riches instead, affirming the scriptures which says, “ in his riches man lacks wisdom” (Psalm 49:20). Like the rich young man, the price of eternal life for us might be detachment from the things we love so much. We need the wisdom of God to decide rightly.
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It is a pity that the young man in the Gospel lacked the wisdom and courage to choose life over possession. But are we even better? Am I different from him? The first reading today presents us with the invaluable attributes of wisdom. Three things stand out in the first reading and should serve as take home points;
1. Solomon desired and prayed for wisdom and was given.
2. He preferred her to possessions, beauty and health.
3. He got all good things alongside the wisdom of God.
Beloved in Christ, in all you desire and pray for, ask for the wisdom of God. In all your getting, get wisdom. Wisdom is profitable to direct (Ecclesiastes 10:10).
The first reading challenges us to rethink our priorities and to re-purpose our lives. How often do we pray for the wisdom to choose rightly? Unlike the rich young man in the Gospel today, Solomon’s choice unveils his trust in God, a heart that focuses on things that leads to lasting peace and fulfillment. The psalmist continues on the theme of wisdom, imploring us to number our days, so as to gain wisdom of heart (Ps. 90:12). We have to understand that riches are a blessing from God, but it can also become a dangerous distraction if we are unduly attached to them. To this end scripture warns us that the love of money is the root of all evil (1Tim6:10).
The surest way to gain the wisdom of God is through prayers and by openness to the Word of God. The second reading tells us that “the word of God is living and active…piercing to the thoughts and intentions of the heart”. (Heb. 4:12). Remember that Jesus is the Word of God made flesh (John 1:1,14), so when we spend good time with the Word of God, we are left with His radiance and power, which then clarify our thoughts and purify our intentions, and thus we gain the wisdom of heart.
Despite the rich man’s commitment to keeping the commandments of God, he lacked the wisdom to be detached from his riches to gained eternity with Christ. His possession became a hindrance, instead of a blessing, weighing heavily upon him, preventing him from responding to Jesus’ invitation. For us, it might be something different. Remember not all who asked the question of eternal life got the same response. To the Lawyer in Luke 10:25-37, Jesus recommended love of God and love of neighbour, because he was lacking in love. What is it that is lacking in your life?
Dearly beloved, to inherit eternal life begins with the fundamental option for God, made at baptism and then a daily and sincere desire and struggle to keep to our baptismal promises. To reject satan and all his empty promises. To believe in God and His Church. To believe in the resurrection of the dead and eternal life. Like the rich young man, we may have to work on our attachments to status, to positions, to relationships, to our ambitions which may become an albatross preventing us from opening up and surrendering ourselves entirely to God.
Lastly, the disciples astonished at the peril of the rich, asked “then who can be saved?” The straightforward and simple answer is all. All will be saved who listen to the Word of God and keep it. All will be saved who are willing to sacrifice earthly treasures and pleasures to lay up treasures in the kingdom of God. All will be saved who seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness. All will be saved who truly repent and believed in Jesus Christ and not in their riches. Salvation is for all and we need the wisdom of God and simplicity of heart to embrace it.
May our Lord Jesus Christ, the wisdom of God made flesh, fill and enlighten our hearts and minds to love God above all things and so gain eternity with Him through Christ our Lord Amen.
Peace be with you!
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