28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Wisdom 7:7-11

Ps 89:12-17

Hebrews 4:12-13

Mark 10:17-30

THE RICH MAN 

The Word of God is alive and active. It works like a double-edged sword; it penetrates our inner being and reveals our secret thoughts (cf. Heb. 4:12-13). Yes, the Word of God always challenges us. Today, it challenges us to take a fresh look at our attitude towards riches and material possessions. Indeed, material possessions are good and necessary for our well-being; but the danger is that they can easily possess us instead of we possessing them, in which case, we become slaves to our wealth. 

In today’s gospel, a rich man came to Jesus, and kneeling before him, he asked: “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” This question reveals his deep quest for salvation which is the ultimate reward for good life. He was a genuine man who had observed the commandments of God from his youthful age. But there was something lacking: detachment from his wealth. Since he was too much attached to his wealth, he forfeited the joy of following Jesus. He went away very sad, when Jesus told him to go, sell all his belongings, give to the poor, and then come to follow him. His riches, or better still, his attitude towards his riches, became an obstacle for him to follow the Lord and inherit the life he was searching for. 

Indeed, asking a rich man to let go all his riches and follow an itinerant preacher was not a light decision to take on the road side. But the request of Jesus and his subsequent interaction with his disciples show us that the way to holiness is not merely observing the law. It demands detachment from earthly possessions in order to live for God and for others. It demands a breakup with what promises material comfort. 

The disciples had left everything to follow Jesus; so, their reward would be great. Likewise, the author of the book of Wisdom held everything, including power, riches, social status, privilege and beauty as nothing before the wisdom of God (Wis. 7:7-11). St Paul also considered everything he had gained in life as rubbish because of the surpassing value of knowing Jesus Christ the Saviour (cf. Phil 3:8). We too need to detach ourselves from material possessions so as to follow Jesus in freedom, and accept what he wants to give us, persecutions included. May he bless and keep all of us. Amen.