28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR B)

1st Reading          Wisdom 7:7-11

Psalm                     90: 12-13, 14-15, 16-17 (R. cf. 14)

R//: "Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy"

2nd Reading       Hebrews 4: 12-13

Gospel                   Mark 10: 17-30 

LASTING WEALTH COMES FROM THE WORD OF GOD

Dear friends, today is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B). As a reminder, we are gradually getting closer to the end of the liturgical year. The Word of God for this Sunday deals with the question of authentic wealth. Let us take a quick dive.

The first reading is from Wisdom 7:7-11. The central discussion in the Book is Wisdom. Let us remind ourselves that the Book of Wisdom has a very high Greek context and that is both an opportunity and a challenge to the practice of the Jewish faith, particularly for those Jews in the Greek territory. Additionally, whenever Wisdom is mentioned in Israel, the name that comes to mind is Solomon because he is the man who asked for Wisdom among the many other things he could have asked for (1 Kgs. 3: 5-15; 2 Chron. 1: 7-12). The pronoun 'I' that begins the first reading should refer to Solomon, 'the man of wisdom'. Within the context of Wisdom lies our reflection on what authentic wealth entails. 

Now, the author talks about what he could have invested in but he chose something higher than that. Let us start from the last. 

The author says: "...beyond health and beauty" (Wis. 7: 10). These are two goods highly valued by the Greeks. The man who mentioned "Health and Beauty" has a history of people in his family described as beautiful. David, his father (1 Sam. 16: 12, 18; 17: 42), Bathsheba, his mother (2 Sam. 11: 2-3), Absalom, his stepbrother (2 Sam. 14: 25; 18:9) and another stepbrother, Adonijah, (1 Kgs. 1: 6) were described as beautiful or handsome. That is a family inheritance. Solomon does not see authentic wealth from investing so much in health and beauty. Eventually, they will fail. He is aware that even though his father was healthy (or strong), he died (1 Kgs. 2: 10). He also knows that beauty and strength caused sin in his family. He knows of Absalom and Adonijah's, handsome men, desire to take up power by force and they sinned eventually. 

Beloved, the first kind of wealth comes from those things that are physical. People invest so much in beauty as if it will never fail. Ranging from cosmetics to dressing, people invest so much to look good. All kinds of chemicals and drugs are used today for body enhancement. This is a kind of wealth people build for themselves. Solomon has seen these before and he does not see authentic and satisfying wealth from them. They will fail. 

In the second level of wealth, he says: "...sceptre and throne, and deemed riches ... because all gold... is a bit of sand..." (vv. 8-9). Two things are noted there. The first has to do with Political authority and power in his mention of "sceptre and throne". The second is financial power in his mention of "riches" in the form of gold or money. Solomon is a King and the Bible describes him as a wealthy man. He has tasted what it means to issue commands and purchase whatever he wants. In fact, his riches are seen in the variety of dishes on his table when the Queen of Sheba visited him (1 Kings 10). As a royal from birth, he has seen kingdoms fall and Kings die, even his father. Wealth could not save kingdoms and Kings. He saw how his two brothers, Absalom and Adonijah, sinned in their forceful quest for political power. In fact, Absalom died in that search. Solomon does not see authentic and lasting wealth from political and financial power because they do not last. 

Beloved, the search for economic or financial and political strength rises today, and sadly, the world defines power and wealth by them as indicators. As Christians in this world, like Jews in the Greek world challenged with issues against their faith, we too are challenged by the world's standard of judgement. People use any means to acquire power and money and the world does not care where the wealth comes from. The problem with that kind of wealth is that it is enjoyed for a short time. In reality, people invest so much in politics and finance. It is even not carried to the afterlife. They also fail. 

The third level of wealth is "wisdom" or rendered in some translations as "prudence" (Wis. 7: 7). He acquired it by praying. The source of that wealth is not from human will, but divine. Because God lives in eternity, that gift is eternal. What does not Wisdom entail? Two issues must be understood. 

The first understanding of Wisdom is that in 1 Kings 3: 5-15, Solomon asked the Lord to give him "a listening heart to judge [his] people and to distinguish between good and evil" (v. 9). Remember that in Genesis 2: 9, 15-17, there is a tree of knowledge of good and evil. What Adam and Even ate and did evil, Solomon wants to have a taste of it and do what is right, thus to judge rightly. 

The second understanding of Wisdom is that the Bible has a section of Books designated as "Wisdom and Poetic Books".  What Solomon asks for is that he wants to immerse himself in the Word of God and not deviate from it. He knows from the Psalms, a book attributed to his father David, that the righteous man meditates on God's law day and night. "He is like a tree planted near streams of water, that yields its fruit in season; Its leaves never wither; whatever he does prospers" (Ps. 1:1-3). Solomon knows that true, authentic, and lasting wealth comes from the Word of God but what it offers is prosperity that does not fail. 

I believe that it forms the background to the second reading's (Heb. 4: 12-13) words on what the Word of God can do. The Word of God is living and active (v. 12). 

The Gospel (Mark 10: 17-30) touches heavily on the same issue of wealth. On requesting further what he can do to gain eternal life, the man's face fell when Jesus told him to "Go and sell everything [he] owns and give the money to the poor, and [he] will have treasure in heaven; then [he should] come and follow [him] (vv. 21-22). Following Jesus is found in the Word of God. It comes with sitting at his feet, listening, and following in his path. That is what eternal life which is true, lasting, and authentic wealth. 

Dear friends, there is wealth in beauty and power and money. However, these kinds of wealth fail and are subject to decay. They are quite important too. However, life's struggle should not be centred on acquiring these because they will eventually fail. True and lasting wealth comes from the Word of God, thus, meditating on his Law which is living and active, and seeking by it to know the good and bad so that we can do the good always. 

Pax et Bonum