Preet Anupam Beck csc –
Readings: Wis 7: 7-11; Heb 4: 12-13; Mk 10: 17-30
The Lord is my true treasure, and with him, there should be nothing else I desire in my life. All of today’s readings invite me to seek this treasure and not chase after earthly possessions. The first reading presents wisdom as the precious gift for which we should pray to the Almighty, a wisdom that surpasses all else.
As St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us, “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship,” especially the friendship with God that comes through wisdom. In the second reading, the Word of God is described as living and active, a precious gift that discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart. In the second reading, the Word of God is described as living and active, a gift that discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The gospel reading tells the story of a young rich man who desired to follow Jesus but could not detach himself from his earthly possessions. The message for me is simple: all earthly possessions are at my disposal, and they are not evil in themselves. St. John Chrysostom taught, “The rich man is not one who is in possession of much, but one who gives much.” The Lord invites me to share what I have, what I do, and who I am with others.
There is also a blessed assurance that Jesus will give a hundredfold in return for whatever I sacrifice or detach from to follow him. However, it is not the reward but the person of Jesus himself that should draw me to detach. Jesus is Wisdom, and he is the Word of God made flesh. All the readings invite me to follow this true and real treasure.