Read Reflect Respond

Feast Days |  Sundays |  Videos | Latest

(13th October 2024) Homily for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 READ: (Wis 7: 7-11; Heb 4: 12-13; Mk 10: 17-30)

 REFLECT: Obtain wisdom to inherit eternal life and to enter the kingdom of God…

Dear friends, today we are in the twenty-eighth Sunday in ordinary time. The liturgy of the word invites us to obtain wisdom that’s required to inherit eternal life in order to enter the kingdom of God. We all know the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Perhaps, I don’t exactly remember who told this but it was a wonderful way to differentiate between wisdom and knowledge. We go to malls for watching movies or watch in TV or mobiles. Before we start the movie proper we read on the screen a note on health advisory, ‘smoking causes cancer’ ‘Smoking kills’ ‘consumption of alcohol is injurious to health’ ‘be Safe, Don’t drink and drive.’ Yes, what we read and understand on the screen is the knowledge but when we choose not to smoke or consume alcohol is wisdom. So that is the power or wisdom. Wisdom paves way to choose good things, good tidings and goodness. Today, we have knowledge of many things but have no wisdom to choose and discern good for life.

Therefore, knowing is one thing but choosing to do good, supporting the right and having sound judgment of an issue which is wisdom is another thing. Although we know stealing is bad, we know killing is an immoral act, we know driving fast is dangerous, we know smoking and drinking is injurious to health, we know using mobile a lot is not advisable but when we choose to stop doing evil and discern to put an end to the vicious entities of life then it is wisdom. We know disobeying and dissuading is destructive but wisdom is to obey, listen, learn and be good and stand for good; We know accumulating wealth is evil but wisdom is sharing with others even the little that we have; We know the commandments in the bible or the rules and regulation of the government but wisdom is to practice them and be a good catholic and good citizen. Likewise, the list can go on and on about knowing but discerning what is good and avoiding evil is what we can call wisdom. Thus the readings of the day invite us to understand the importance of wisdom in our lives. So based on the liturgy of the word, I would like to share with you three points of reflection;

 1. Call to obtain wisdom:

A call to obtain wisdom starts with an attitude of humility and a desire to grow. This call to grow in wisdom is not a one-day program rather it is an on-going journey which requires listening, reflecting and seeking knowledge beyond oneself. A wise person does not take decisions at random or instantly. He or she analyses different perspectives and takes into account the experiences of oneself and others, background and beliefs to decide or arrives at a sound decision. When we understand the spiritual perspective or theological perspectives of wisdom, it begins with an act of reverence and recognition that true wisdom is a gift from God. That’s what we hear in the book of Proverbs, “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” (Prov 9:10). However, the fear of the Lord is not a control or force rather out of respect and love for the divine and the divine laws of God. We even hear of sages and saints how they have obtained wisdom by an act of prayer and meditation, humility and submission, living according to the divine laws and plans. Yes, obtaining wisdom enables us to discern life for the better and assists us to move close to God in union with him.

Further, we hear in the book of Proverbs, “prefer my teaching to silver and seek wisdom rather than gold because wisdom has more value than jewel, your desire cannot equal it, I dwell with discretion and count prudence among friends” (Prov 8: 10-12). Perhaps the eighth chapter from the book of proverbs is the call of wisdom, her resourcefulness and the richness of life it can give. This is the reminder given to us in the first reading that if you have wisdom everything you can get, because it is the inexhaustible treasure with which we can gain friendship with God, with the world and one another, wisdom is greater than wealth and beauty.” Yes, wisdom is an inexhaustible treasure, because it cannot be compared to money or talents. We may have money and talents but if we don’t have wisdom to discern how to use wealth and money, it would be just a waste material or paper for us. Wisdom is far better than wealth and beauty, because wealth and beauty gets faded as time passes by but wisdom grows and provides us lasting fulfillment.

Today, we ask God various needs and desires but how many of us would really ask like King Solomon Lord grant me wisdom to understand what you want of me and to understand and rule your people entrusted to me? Today many of us pray for income to gain from business, wealth to amass, power to control and rule, drink, eat and make merry like epicureans, sickness to healing, bad times to good times. How many of us ask God for wisdom to discern life for the better and to be in close proximity with God. Let us understand today if we have wisdom, we would obtain everything we seek from God. But the wisdom needs to be godly or divine and not worldly. Many of us boast if we have knowledge on various disciplines of life in the world, but it can never be a lasting knowledge that creates impact. The wisdom that’s obtained in God, from God and with God would create a lasting impact and it would give us freedom from every bondage that chains us or torments us. May God give us wisdom to discern life’s purpose to live on earth and to live for God and his people.

 2. The Word of God is itself wisdom:

We hear in the book of Proverbs, “For the Lord gives wisdom, from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding,” (Prov 2:6). These words indicate that wisdom comes from God’s word that he utters and to seek wisdom is to show our oneness with God and his divine words or commandments. Yes, in all surety we can say that God’s word is a wisdom to us. That’s what we see in the Old and New Testament, how prophets, leaders, kings, apostles, disciples have been led by the word of God to lead others. Therefore, the word of God directs, guides, animates, accompanies, assures and empowers each one to be attuned to God’s plans. Thus, God’s word is wisdom in all its richness and it empowers us to be powerful witnesses of God. That’s what we hear in the book of Psalms, “your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path,” (Psalm 119:105). Something similar we find in the second reading from the letter to the Hebrew.

The letter to the Hebrews points out the power and dynamism of God’s word. It is very emphatically and authentically said, the word of God is alive and active it cuts more finely than any double-edged sword, it pierces to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, discerning thoughts and intentions of the heart. Such is the power of God’s word. It just points out that when we follow or practice God’s words in life, we become wise, righteous and have a satisfying life possible. All the more, when we understand the power of God, it becomes a life-changing moment for us. Perhaps, the word of God does only remain as moral or spiritual guidance but also becomes a practical wisdom to live life daily to the fullest.

Today we need to realize and understand that when we say the word of God is wisdom, we only affirm that all wisdom originates from God and God is the source and summit of all wisdom that flows and ends. Just as wisdom helps us or enables us to discern from bad to good, right from wrong and helps us for a sound judgment, so also the word of God enables and enhances our living better the spiritual life. The spiritual life is the soul of the spirit we could say, because once the spirit is nourished with the spiritual dimensions of life, our spiritual life becomes strong and solid; the word of God takes full control. So today we need to ask how many of us the bible read. How many of us pay attention to God’s word and his message to transform our lives for the better? Most of the times we feel that our words are words of wisdom, as infallible but however we need to realize that our words are limited but God’s word is powerful and it can create or recreate or permeate. So let us pray and understand the importance of God’s word, make it a norm and basis for life to live on earth.

We hear in the Gospel of Mathew, “the one who listens to God, his word and practices them will be like the one who has built his house on rock but the one who does not listen to his voice and words will be like the one who has built his or her house on a sand. We know the difference between the two; the first one will be strong and the second one will get collapsed (Matt 7: 24-27). Yes, the choice is left before us whether we want our lives to be strong immersed in God’s word like a wise person or get collapsed like a foolish person, who has no ground in God’s word or hi plans. Let us believe in God’s power in his word and the discerning moments the word of God has for us. The word of God has touched many; Mother Mary changed her life by the word of God; St Paul changed his life by the words of Christ. Today, many people are touched and healed by the power of God’s word. Let us work for healing in our live by reading the word of God, revering the word of God and the result of it would be the reward of eternal life in heaven.

 3. Wisdom to inherit eternal life:

The desire to seek wisdom to inherit eternal life is in every one. We none of us choose to end life immediately. We like to live longer and it is still happier if we live forever, because it is life beyond the experience of physical death. We call it a communion or union with God. The quest for eternal life does not happen by following rules and regulations or by acquiring human knowledge on various streams of life but by seeking divine wisdom that brings about a change of life to a new creation in Christ. The ways to inherit eternal life would never be possible if we prioritize ourselves with earthly ambitions or worldly desires rather we need to set priority over the divine plans and experiences. The lack of divine experience and divine wisdom to discern life in God’s ways is what we see in the gospel reading of the day.

The rich man went away sad because he was asked to give to the poor all the possessions he had to have treasure for himself in heaven. He was not ready and willing to give up possession; he was not willing to give to the poor. His attachment to wealth and possession has blinded him the opportunity to obtain treasure and enter into heaven.  In today’s gospel reading we see or hear Jesus answering four important questions: Why do you call me good? What should I do to inherit eternal life? Who can be saved? What about us who have left everything and followed you? These four questions are answered by Jesus to understand the importance of eternal life, his saving act, our commitment to follow him fully and detaching ourselves from the worldly things and attuning ourselves to the eternal life with God.

The first question answered by Jesus is, “What should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus plainly tells the man whether he has followed the ten commandments of the Bible in the Old Testament. The man spontaneously says that he has been following. But when he was asked to give up all his possessions and give it to the poor, he was unwilling. So Jesus warns the rich man and us too that we need to be free from attachments towards worldly things. The reason why Jesus condemned the rich man was not because he had so much wealth but he was not ready to give up possession and not ready to give it to the poor. Some of us may be part of this category too. If we are asked to give to the rich, perhaps we may come forward, because we might get them in return but to the poor we won’t give, because they would not be able to return to us because they are poor and they lack many things in life. Therefore, it is a strong warning to us too to detach ourselves from worldly possession and be willing to give to the poor, those who cannot repay you in full measure. That’s the greatness of life and that’s the goodness we show to people who cannot repay us.

The second question, “Why do you call me good?” Jesus by asking them a question why do you call me Good gives them the answer that God alone is good. Yes, Jesus makes them aware and understands that God is one who is eternally good. God always seeks the good of us; God intends and does always good to us, because he loves us as his children; the goodness of God arises from his unconditional love for us; the goodness of God is pure self-offering of his only begotten son for our Salvation. Therefore, God is good and is goodness himself.  God grants us eternal life and helps us to inherit eternal life; the only way to inherit eternal life is to believe in God, his words, his plans, his wisdom and his ways for us;

The Third question, “Who then can be saved?” The saving act or saving work is not within our capacity rather the goodwill and the goodness of God. That’s why Jesus says, “For a human person it is impossible but for God everything is possible.” Yes, God can save us because for God everything is possible. God would grant the heart’s desire of being part of eternal life, because he looks at the heart and not the face. God knows our inner and outer attitudes and approaches. Therefore, he grants us eternal life as our heart is disposed to and all the more he is merciful and loving and so in compassion, God is ready to give eternal life to those whom he wishes. That is the goodness of God.

The fourth question, “What about us, we have left everything and followed you.” It is a question asked by the disciples of Jesus. Jesus truly understands the commitment, dedication, sacrifice and service that the disciples render at the cause of the mission of Jesus but what they have left and to whom they have left matters a lot for Jesus. That’s why Jesus assures the disciples that anyone who has left everything for my sake would obtain his reward. Yes, leaving everything for the love of God, for the love of Jesus and for the love of God’s people brings eternal reward and eternal life. Sometimes we leave everything and live according to our likes and dislikes without any concern for the gospel and its spread of it to all humankind; sometimes we leave everything for personal gains or to win over the appreciation of others. All these would not obtain us rewards of eternal life but only leaving everything for the sake of Gospel and for Christ would obtain us life eternal.

Today, if you and I want to have access with God which no one else can give greater than him then we need to have connection with Jesus. For Jesus himself has said that “I and father are one” (Jn 10:30); “I am the way the truth and the life and no one can go to the father except through me” (Jn 14:6); Jesus said to Philip when asked to show us the father “to have seen me is seeing the father (Jn 14: 9). Yes, the one who has wisdom of God will inherit eternal life and that wisdom is Jesus himself. So inherit Jesus, the eternal wisdom who can make us inherit eternal life, strengthen ourselves with the bond of Jesus the savior, live for him and leave everything for his sake and the Gospel and then life will be great, life will be happier and life will be more meaningful although it may bring struggle or strife, but sure is the victory and the victory will be forever and always, because Jesus is with us and Jesus the real wisdom enables us to discern life to the full and to be joyful.

RESPOND:

Do we believe in the wisdom of God or the wisdom of the world? Which side do we take?

Do we believe that God’s word is wisdom of God that changes and transforms life for the better?

Do we believe in Jesus, the real wisdom to inherit eternal life by detaching all that is disturbing and deviating us?

Let us pray that we obtain wisdom, believe and follow Jesus’ words and practice his commands in order to inherit eternal life and enter into eternal kingdom by journeying with Jesus the eternal wisdom as our travelling companion. Amen.

God bless us all… Live Jesus!