October 11, 2009 28th Ordinary Sunday of the Year   Wis. 7:7-11; Heb. 4:12-13; Mk. 10:17-30 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Readings:http://www.usccb.org/nab/101109.shtml   ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”   The man in the Gospel story does not ask merely for life; he asks for eternal life. He has been faithful, but he is not satisfied with having lived according to the Commandments; he wants to do more. “Jesus, looking at him, loved him.” In response to his own petition, Jesus admonishes him: “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor.” The man was startled. He could not accept the challenge. What Jesus asked was too much. The man was willing to do more, but he was unable to do with less.   Strangely, Jesus loves the young man, yet later says that it will be difficult for him to enter God’s kingdom. Though the youth was observant of commands, he did not realize that the love of Jesus was leading him beyond his virtue. Often Christ challenges people to a more intense discipleship not at their point of weakness, but precisely at their point of strength.   Today we have two examples of how difficult choosing life can really be. The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews tells us that ‘The word of God does indeed cut to the bone.’ It leaves our inner being naked and exposed to ourselves. The readings provide a glimpse of the ultimate consequence of making the right choice. In the end, all the good things that were sacrificed in favour of wisdom came along with the possession of wisdom, and Jesus promised that those willing to forego earthly treasures will have treasure in heaven.   Today’s readings describe situations in which holding possessions is one of the options. But there are other “treasures” that we might be inclined to choose over wisdom or selflessness. Reputation is high on that list. What personal values are sometimes compromised for the sake of celebrity?   Personal comfort could also be the “camel” trying to squeeze through the eye of the needle. After all, why should we be the ones who are always called on to “go the extra mile”? Why should we have to worry about the millions of hungry children, or about the elderly poor who live their lives alone? We seem to be satisfied with the way we practice our faith.     <<   Previous: 27th Sunday of the Year  |   Next: 29th Sunday of the Year >>     Go Back to SERMONS (Year B)