Breaking Open the Word
October 13
Introduction
Today is Sunday October 13th. We see in the First Reading from the Book of Wisdom, the writer praying and pleading for prudence and wisdom. Often, we focus on knowledge and intelligence by sending our children to school, pursuing undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees and participating in bible studies and formation programs. Of course, this is good. God wants us to expand our knowledge and develop our intellect. Wisdom, however, is a skill we should seek to master. Knowledge is information or awareness about a subject, while wisdom is the ability to use that knowledge in a practical way. Wisdom involves a healthy dose of perspective and the ability to make sound judgements. Wisdom is discerning how to take what we know in our head and allow it to guide our hearts in the actions we take.
Wisdom and prudence may appear to be elusive, so where do we find it? Unfortunately, it can be lost in a series “facts”, never permitted to intrude on our feelings. Wisdom requires effort – we must ponder and reflect on the “facts” searching for how the “facts” are meant to influence us. Sacred Scripture is a treasure trove of wisdom. Frequently, though, we simply read Scripture and never sit with it, permitting it to stir our souls. The Second Reading provides some insight as to why that may be. That reading states, “Indeed the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.” Perhaps we are cautious with Sacred Scripture because it may call us to conversion, it may be transformative.
Gospel Explained
We see in the Gospel from Mark an encounter between Jesus and a man. Running up and kneeling before Christ, the man asks “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” The man was clearly knowledgeable about the commandments. When Jesus’ response to the man’s question begins with the words, “You know the commandments.”, one can imagine the man swelling with pride as he declares, “Teacher all these I have kept since I was a boy.” In my mind, the man is expecting affirmation, confirmation that he is well on his way to inheriting eternal life. It appears he is not expecting the response, “One thing you lack. Go sell everything you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” This man had knowledge; intellectually, he knew the commandments and the importance of observing them. However, it seems he lacked the wisdom to discern how to apply them in a practical way. The man had many possessions and, as we see, he is unable to part with them…. Even though it was the one thing he is lacking to inherit eternal life. His possessions seem to be a sign of abundant blessings, yet they are nothing more than an albatross making the man a mere camel saddled with such a load he cannot pass through the eye of the needle to enter the kingdom of God.
The Gospel passage seems to be a condemnation of the rich; Jesus’ response to the man appears harsh. It caused the man not to follow, but to leave crestfallen. Lost in that is the pearl hidden within this Gospel. That pearl is the words, “Jesus looked at him and loved him.”
This was an intimate encounter between Jesus and the man. It was about Christ meeting him where he was at … and wanting to take him further. This is Jesus trying move the man beyond the formation of his knowledge and observance of the commandments, towards a transformation of his heart. The words of Jesus are not words of condemnation, but rather a call to a conversion. It is a plea that the man his lighten load, shed the burden of his many possessions, so he can follow Jesus. Jesus WANTS this man to inherit eternal life. Jesus wants that for all of us.
Today's Theme
We are called to seek Jesus out, to run to him, to kneel before him and ask the question, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” More importantly, we are called to then LISTEN; to discern what the Lord is calling us to do. For each of us, it may be something very different. However, like the man in the Gospel passage, Jesus desires nothing more than to look at YOU and to love YOU. Jesus wants to encounter you where you are at and take you further.
Nothing would please Jesus more than to welcome you into the heavenly kingdom and grant you your inheritance, eternal life, a life planned from the moment you were knit in your mother’s womb and earned for you by His sacrifice on the cross. Maybe you fall short in your observance of the commandments. Maybe you have knowledge of the teachings of the Catholic Church, but struggle to fully understand them. Maybe the “saddlebags” of time, talent and treasure in your life are filled with worldly commitments and earthly pursuits. Maybe some of those have to be “sold” and given in service of God and others. Maybe if you are made “lighter” you can lower yourself like the camel referred to in the Gospel and pass through the gate to the heavenly kingdom.
Theme in our Life Today
We are invited to move today behind knowledge, and the development of our intellect, towards a transformation of our hearts. We are invited to seek out wisdom, to bring her into our discernment process. We are invited to take what we know in our head and allow it to guide our heart in the actions we take.
Today at Mass we will hear the Word of God. May we see the Word as “living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.”
Today at Mass, and maybe through a brief visit to our Adoration Chapel afterwards, we have the ability to look upon Jesus on the Cross, in His Real Presence in the Eucharist and in the tabernacle…. and he can look at us. In that moment, may we allow Him to love us like He loved the man in our Gospel passage. As we gaze upon Him, let us ask, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”. Let us leave here today, not crestfallen and sad, but filled with the joy of our trust in Him to guide us along the way.
Prepare for Sunday
Do you see a difference between knowledge and wisdom? If so, what is it? How can you grow in knowledge and wisdom?
How do you approach the Word of God? Is Scripture something you read at Mass only or do you meditate on it, ponder it? What can you do differently to allow it to penetrate your heart and soul?
What might Jesus be asking you to “sell” or put at the service of others? What is saddling you in your life? How can you lighten your load and follow Jesus more effectively.
Our greatest possessions are our time, talent and treasure. How are we using them? Could Jesus be asking us to transform or convert them?