Commentary on the Readings for Sunday – October 11, 2009
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
We have all read in recent newspapers and magazines stories of how some Christian churches are emphasizing the importance of riches and happiness as a sign of God’s favor and have made it the focus of their faith. They claim that God wants everyone to be rich and happy and they cite several scripture passages to support their claim. Obviously, God does not want everyone to be poor and unhappy, but to believe that wealth is a sign of God’s favor harkens back to the teachings of the Pharisees and the ancient beliefs of many cultures. The Readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time encourage us to pray for prudence and wisdom. The truly wise person will see riches, albeit of a different kind, in all of God’s creation.
The First Reading is from the Book of Wisdom (7:7 – 11). This passage extols the importance and value of Wisdom above all other possessions. The wise person will recognize the richness of that which is around him and will not be searching for that which he does not or cannot have. “Yet, all good things came to me in her company” says the author of this passage. Here, Wisdom is personified as a woman who gives generously of her many possessions. In our Christian way of thinking, this is the Holy Spirit who gives to those who trust in the Lord for his or her all.
The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm (90:12 – 17). In this prayer, the Psalmist is calling upon the Lord to help him understand some events of the past and to set his heart on the right path to God. The person who is “filled with the love of the Lord is rich indeed”.
The Second Reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews (4:12 – 13). The writer of this great Letter is saying that the Word of God (Jesus Christ) knows the mind and heart of each of us – nothing can be hidden from Him to whom we will one day have to render an account of our lives. It then goes on to say that although we might stray at times, we have a high-priest, also Jesus, who can intercede for us, however, the wise and prudent person will seek the will of God first and the riches of wisdom and virtue will then come to him.
The Gospel Reading is taken from the Gospel of Mark (10:17 – 30). In this familiar story, Jesus is confronted by a rich young man who is truly seeking perfection. Unfortunately, after hearing Jesus’ response to his question, the young man realizes that his possessions are too great to give up. Jesus then gives us that strange statement comparing the abilities of wealthy persons trying to get into heaven with a camel trying to pass through the eye of a needle. Jesus is not condemning wealth or wealthy people he is referring to their intent and usage of their wealth. This comparison is not only for those who have great wealth. It also applies to those who have abusive power, or perhaps, those who exploit their fame and talent. Such people are sorely in need of wisdom and prudence and can become spiritually bankrupt with their pursuit of riches.
We have become a society that worships wealth and fame and even notoriety, but the precepts of the Lord are still the true guidelines for our relationship with Him and our entry into His kingdom. When we reach the end of life’s journey God is not going to ask us how much money we brought with us to heaven. Rather, he will ask us how many people we helped along the way. Something to think about during your Prayer Time this week!
If you have questions or comments regarding the above, please send them, in writing, to the parish office. We will respond as quickly as possible.
MFB
Sunday Scripture Commentary
Commentary on the Readings for Sunday – October 11, 2009
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
We have all read in recent newspapers and magazines stories of how some Christian churches are emphasizing the importance of riches and happiness as a sign of God’s favor and have made it the focus of their faith. They claim that God wants everyone to be rich and happy and they cite several scripture passages to support their claim. Obviously, God does not want everyone to be poor and unhappy, but to believe that wealth is a sign of God’s favor harkens back to the teachings of the Pharisees and the ancient beliefs of many cultures. The Readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time encourage us to pray for prudence and wisdom. The truly wise person will see riches, albeit of a different kind, in all of God’s creation.
The First Reading is from the Book of Wisdom (7:7 – 11). This passage extols the importance and value of Wisdom above all other possessions. The wise person will recognize the richness of that which is around him and will not be searching for that which he does not or cannot have. “Yet, all good things came to me in her company” says the author of this passage. Here, Wisdom is personified as a woman who gives generously of her many possessions. In our Christian way of thinking, this is the Holy Spirit who gives to those who trust in the Lord for his or her all.
The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm (90:12 – 17). In this prayer, the Psalmist is calling upon the Lord to help him understand some events of the past and to set his heart on the right path to God. The person who is “filled with the love of the Lord is rich indeed”.
The Second Reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews (4:12 – 13). The writer of this great Letter is saying that the Word of God (Jesus Christ) knows the mind and heart of each of us – nothing can be hidden from Him to whom we will one day have to render an account of our lives. It then goes on to say that although we might stray at times, we have a high-priest, also Jesus, who can intercede for us, however, the wise and prudent person will seek the will of God first and the riches of wisdom and virtue will then come to him.
The Gospel Reading is taken from the Gospel of Mark (10:17 – 30). In this familiar story, Jesus is confronted by a rich young man who is truly seeking perfection. Unfortunately, after hearing Jesus’ response to his question, the young man realizes that his possessions are too great to give up. Jesus then gives us that strange statement comparing the abilities of wealthy persons trying to get into heaven with a camel trying to pass through the eye of a needle. Jesus is not condemning wealth or wealthy people he is referring to their intent and usage of their wealth. This comparison is not only for those who have great wealth. It also applies to those who have abusive power, or perhaps, those who exploit their fame and talent. Such people are sorely in need of wisdom and prudence and can become spiritually bankrupt with their pursuit of riches.
We have become a society that worships wealth and fame and even notoriety, but the precepts of the Lord are still the true guidelines for our relationship with Him and our entry into His kingdom. When we reach the end of life’s journey God is not going to ask us how much money we brought with us to heaven. Rather, he will ask us how many people we helped along the way. Something to think about during your Prayer Time this week!
If you have questions or comments regarding the above, please send them, in writing, to the parish office. We will respond as quickly as possible.
MFB