Wisdom 7:7-11 Psalm 90 Hebrews 4:12-13 Mark 10:17-30
PRICELESS!
I remember a credit card commercial that would always end with that one word - priceless!
We well know that there are some priceless and extremely valuable things that money just can't buy. Our Scriptures today point to wisdom as a priceless gift of God. The first reading describes the author's prayer for wisdom. The gospel relates the encounter of the rich man with Jesus, who is Incarnate Wisdom.
WISDOM
The first words of this selection are very instructive: "I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me." The Letter of James 1:5 also promises that wisdom will be given to the one who asks in faith.
Wisdom is indeed greater than any "priceless gem." It is much more valuable than gold and silver. Wisdom is to be loved more than "health and comeliness." With wisdom we get "all good things together" and "countless riches at her hands." A priceless gift!
The Responsorial, Psalm 90, is a prayer for wisdom, a plea to the Lord to "teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart."
GOSPEL
Today's gospel relates the account of a man who wanted wisdom. He asked Jesus, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus tells him to keep the commandments and proceeds to specifically name them.
When the man says he had observed them from his youth, Jesus tells him to sell what he owns, give to the poor, and follow him. The man "went away sad, for he had many possessions." Jesus gives the rich man a "word of wisdom," some practical guidance about how to best live his life here on earth and "inherit eternal life." But the man refused this "word of wisdom." Jesus uses this opportunity to teach on the difficulty that riches present to entering the kingdom of God.
Then Jesus makes the remarkable promise that those who have given up home, family, or lands in order to serve him would be rewarded "a hundred times more now in this present age" as well as "eternal life in the age to come."
HEBREWS
Our second reading from Hebrews is short - only two verses - but extremely powerful. It tells us that the "word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword." It penetrates to the deepest part of our inner being and judges the "reflections and thoughts of the heart."
If we are hungry for God's wisdom, our best source to receive it is God's word. May we always abide in that word (cf. John 8:31-32.)
GOD'S WILL, GOD'S WISDOM, GOD'S WORD
Today's readings provide us with some very important and valuable teaching. The most important thing in our lives is to know and do God's will for us. In order to know God's will, we need to have God's wisdom. Where do we find God's wisdom? In God's word.
May we always seek God's will and God's wisdom with an open heart and mind, allowing God's word to penetrate deep within us and judge the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. A priceless gift - and ours if we sincerely desire it and ask for it!