Wis 7:7-11; Ps 90:12-17; Heb 4:12-13; Mk 10:17-30
The Most Important Thing
Dear friends, today is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary time. For our reflection today, let us ask ourselves, What is the most important thing in life? The answer to this is relative to individuals because each one has his or her own view. We have different priorities and preferences because God has given us the freedom to choose. However, from the first reading, the author asks, What could be compared with the Wisdom of God? Wisdom that comes from God is more valuable than such things as power, wealth, good health, and beauty. The author says that choosing Wisdom was a good idea because he could attain all good things and innumerable honors with her. If you were given wisdom, riches, and honor, what would you choose?
The book of Hebrews speaks about the Word of God as a double-edged sword that cuts finely. It is capable of piercing through seemingly impossible realities and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. All things are laid bare before Him, and nothing can hide from his discernment. Hence, choosing her over all other things is something worthy of consideration. The problem with us is that we have little or no time to contemplate upon the word of God and find the wisdom in it.
The Gospel passage from Mark presents to us the Kingdom of God as a reality that can only be attained through the grace of God. No amount of riches can buy it yet is it wise to leave everything to acquire it. Once one attains the Kingdom of God, he gets everything else that is valuable and desirable. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things will be added to you as well” (Mt 6:33). However, it seems so difficult to choose it over riches, and power. “Go and sell everything you have and come after me” (Mt 10:21). We are told that the rich man went away face down when Jesus asked him to sell his properties and follow him. How many times we chose to go about our businesses rather than spend time listening to the Word of God. How many times have we preferred doing other things during the days of worship thinking that we are wiser than those who go to worship? Men in my mission say that the Church is a gathering of women and children and not a place for men. They can’t go and sit with women let alone have speaking to them. That is according to their wisdom.
When God asked King Solomon to choose one thing, he chose the gift of Wisdom (1 Kg 3:9). We are told that with the gift of wisdom, King Solomon acquired many riches and honor. Many people came from different nations to listen to his wisdom. As people, we desire a nation where peace and prosperity reign. However, using our own wisdom, we repeatedly make wrong decisions; we re-elect bad leaders into positions of power time and again. This way we keep on changing the goalposts of development and prosperity.
Jesus is the Word of God and the supreme Wisdom who came to instruct us about the kingdom of God. God created us so that we may subdue the earth and prosper. However, because of our foolishness, we choose the wrong things that make our lives and those of the people around us difficult and miserable. If we want, we can change things for the better by allowing the Wisdom of God to pierce our hearts and transform them to be like his own heart. We can be true disciples of Christ and have the other good things in this world. However, when we choose the perishable worldly things first, we forfeit what is true and durable.
The kingdom of God is not a futuristic reality that we have no idea what it looks like. Through Christ, we have a foretaste of this kingdom. Every baptized has a responsibility to participate in the building of the kingdom of God here and now. Sometimes we wrongly believe that life on earth can only be meaningful with riches, power, and honor. We forget that all we have and all we strive for is in the hands of God. We instead put our faith in material things and when we are in trouble we seek protection from dark powers. If we ask God with sincere hearts, he will provide all our needs. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Mt 7:7).
My dear friends it does it cause any harm to try the wisdom of God and see if it works. The Psalmist tells us “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps 34:9). What is the most important thing in your life? Anything that replaces the time for worshipping God is an idol god. it is very unwise to choose anything else over God.
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 