Wisdom consists in knowing what is important in life, what are the true treasures of life. And these treasures are not material: they are the treasures of virtue, of love, above all of union with God, because only these last beyond death. Compared to wisdom, "all the gold before her is a little sand".and the silver is "like mud"We are told in today's first reading.
Likewise, the psalm encourages us to appreciate the brevity of life in order to "acquire a wise heart".
But the Gospel presents us with the sad episode of the rich young man who was not able to learn this wisdom. Although he led a clean and decent life - he lived the Commandments - he was not able to respond to Christ's call. When Jesus invited him to sell all that he had, give the money to the poor, and follow him, we are toldAt these words, he frowned and went away sad because he was very rich".. This young man was so used to living in his comfort zone and depending on his riches that he could not accept the challenge of doing without them to follow Christ.
It is frightening to think that one can live a basically good life and still reject God's call.
Jesus says to his disciples: "How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!". The disciples are astonished, no doubt because they still shared the Old Law mentality according to which wealth was a sign of God's blessing. Since Israel did not yet have a clear concept of life after death - only later Old Testament works refer in any way to heavenly reward or the punishment of hell, for example, Wis 3 - it could only conceive of divine favor expressed in material terms. And so Job is rewarded with earthly goods for his faithfulness to God in his trials (see Job 42:12-17).
Peter, once again spokesman for the disciples, says: "You see we have left everything and followed you.". The apostles, except Judas, had the wisdom that the young man lacked. And Jesus announces to them the blessings that come from leaving behind home, family, and possessions: "a hundredfold - houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions - and in the age to come, eternal life."
Note the word "persecutions". Yes, a willingness to suffer for Christ is also part of true wisdom. The second reading points to a source that will help us form a judgment and make the right decisions: the word of God, "sharper than any double-edged sword".
Homily on the readings of Sunday 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Priest Luis Herrera Campo offers his nanomiliaA short one-minute reflection for these Sunday readings.
