How difficult it is for those who put their trust in money to enter the Kingdom of God

Wis. 7: 7-11, Heb. 4:12-13, Mk 10:17-30. On this Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, the Church remind us to keep off from the dangers of materialism. Today's first reading challenges us to use the God-given virtue of prudence to seek true wisdom in preference to vanishing realities like riches or political and social influence. Solomon chose Wisdom before everything else, but when he accepted Wisdom, he received everything else. Since, Jesus is Wisdom Incarnate, when we put following Jesus ahead of everything else we receive everything else along with Jesus. The second reading warns us that we are accountable before God as to how we use our blessings and that the “living and effective word of God” must be our guide in evaluating the use of our blessings. In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us what it takes to be a righteous person. For holiness does not consist in keeping all the commandments or avoiding sin but in doing something good for others.

At that time, a man who had been dedicated and wholesome in his obedience to the Law of God asked the Lord what was needed in order to attain the Kingdom of God. Jesus suggests another way to him: “Go and sell what you have, and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” The young man finds this teaching a hard to take since, like many others, he believed his wealth was a sure sign of God’s blessing. The Lord does not say that it is bad, but he warns that it is dangerous, in the sense that it can prevent us from being open to the good things of the Kingdom: "How difficult it is for those who put their trust in money to enter the Kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a straw than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God." Apparently there was a narrow entrance at the side of the Temple called the “Needle.” It is wide enough for a camel to pass through, but only if the load was removed from the camel’s back. With the panniers of goods the camel normally carried on either side, it would be impossible to pass through the Needle gate. How hard it is for people who are weighed down with money and ambitions to enter the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom belongs to the childlike, the poor in spirit; not so much economically poor, but detached from riches in their inmost spirit. The problem is not in having but in letting go. Detachment from material possessions is a necessary condition for being a true follower of Christ. Jesus was so generous that He gave us His very self. Hence, there should be a desire to give in the heart of every Christian. God does not ask us to give up our riches, but He does ask us to use them wisely in His service. We must manage our possessions wisely so that they do not gain control over our hearts. God gives us time, talents and riches that we may use them in the service of others. We have something in our lives that serve as a major obstacle to happiness and peace. It may be anger, holding grudges, alcohol, drugs, lust, apathy, lies, unfaithfulness, theft, or fraud. Let us invite God into our lives to remove the obstacle(s) to holiness in our lives.

May the Lord help us to value others and use earthly goods wisely to acquire Heavenly possessions! Amen!! Good morning and happy Sunday!!!