The Rich Young Man

                       28^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

                      B cycle

 

Today’s first reading from the Book of Wisdom claims that wisdom is to be desired and sought after more than anything else in the world. Wisdom is regarded as more valuable than power or riches. It is even more to be desired than health or good looks. 

 

Actually, we are told that the attainment of wisdom will provide us with rewards greater than anything else in this life. Wisdom is usually referred to as a woman. The Greek word for wisdom is Sophia. But, what is wisdom?

 

I like to think that wisdom is the ability to make a decision. Sometimes, it can be a clear cut decision between right and wrong. But most times, it might just involve a decision between two courses of action that both appear to be right. Should I take this job or that one? Should I take this course or that one? 

 

It doesn’t take much to realize that wisdom is not merely a matter of brain power. It is obvious that some of the most learned and knowledgeable people often demonstrate a remarkable inability to make proper decisions for themselves or others. I’m not saying that it pays to be ignorant, but that wisdom requires experience as well as knowledge. Often, wisdom involves relying on the experience of others, not just ourselves. 

 

In today’s gospel we have the famous account of the young man of great wealth who asks Jesus, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Today, many of us, old and young, can identify with this young man. A senior citizen might look back and wonder, “What has my life been all about? Why was I put here? A young person might wonder, “What am I going to do with my life, or what will become of me?

 

Jesus initially tells the young man to trust in the wisdom that has been handed down to him.

 

You know the commandments: You shall not kill;

You shall not commit adultery;

You shall not steal;

You shall not bear false witness;

You shall not defraud;

Honor your father and your mother.

 

Jesus was telling the man that living the commandments was all an ordinary person had to do. The young man replied that he had kept these commandments all his life but there must have been something in his voice indicating that something was still lacking. Despite all of his wealth, he had not found happiness. 

 

The gospel tells us that Jesus looked upon the rich young man with love and invited him to become a disciple.

 

Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor

And you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

 

Mark tells us that at the words of Jesus, the young man’s “face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.” This is probably the only occasion when someone rejects a personal invitation from Jesus. It is one of the saddest passages in scripture. What are we to make of this passage?

 

It would be easy to try and explain away these words but Jesus went even further after the young man left. Turning from the departing young man, he faced the apostles and said to them:

 

“Children, how hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

 

We are told that the Apostles were amazed at his words. They believed, as many of us do, that wealth was a sign of God’s favor. Poverty was never voluntarily chosen. At best, it was a suffering that had to be endured. There were groups of poor men like the Essenes but they were out of the mainstream of Jewish life.

 

Peter and the other disciples were shocked even though they must have been aware that Jesus often used strong words to drive home a point. They asked, “Who then can be saved?” The response of Jesus was full of hope: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 

 

I have heard explanations of this hard saying of Jesus but it seems to me that Jesus is just being consistent with the teaching in the Book of Wisdom. There is something more important than the attainment of wealth. The things we possess have the power to possess us. Isn’t it true that the more we have, the more we want?

 

Jesus is not saying that we should cease to provide for ourselves and those entrusted to our care. He always told us to act like good stewards and manage our affairs wisely. Jesus told the young man that he had done well to just follow the commandments. 

 

Thank goodness that most of us are not rich and powerful. But there are still things that we value that we find it hard to give up. What child will be successful in school if they are not willing to give up their games and hit the books? What marriage will be successful if the couple is unwilling to give up their own desires for the sake of each other? How many senior citizens end their lives in bitterness and despair surrounded by the accumulated possessions of a lifetime?

 

In today’s second reading from the Book of Hebrews we are told that the word of God is “sharper than any two edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow.” The hard sayings of Jesus should make us consider what is really important in our lives, and help us decide what we must do to inherit eternal life.

 

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Reading 1.  Wisdom 7: 7-11

Reading II. Hebrews 4: 12-13

Gospel. Mark 10:10-17 (What must I do…?)

Image note. This painting by the Venetian Renaissance master Giorgione is now in the Pitti Palace in Florence. It is labelled the Three Ages of Man but I have interpreted it as the encounter of Jesus with the rich young man of today's gospel.