28th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B - Wisdom and Riches & “Here I Am Lord”
The rich young man in this Sunday’s Gospel (Mk. 10:17-30) wants to know what we all want to know—how to live in this life so that we might live forever in the world to come. He seeks what today’s Psalm (Psalm 89) calls “wisdom of heart”. Jesus teaches the rich man that the wisdom he seeks is not a program of works to be performed or behaviors to be avoided. It is observing the commandments that is essential to walking the path of salvation. However, it can only get us so far.
The Wisdom of God is not precepts, but a person—Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Wisdom whose Spirit was granted to Solomon in today’s First Reading (Wis. 7:7-11). Jesus is the “Word of God” spoken of in today’s Epistle (Heb. 4:12-13). And Jesus, as he reveals himself to the rich man today, is God. As he does with the rich man today, Jesus looks upon each of us steadily and with love. That look of love, is a personal invitation—to give up everything to follow him.
Nothing is concealed from the gaze of Jesus, the thoughts of our hearts are exposed, and each of us must render an account of our lives. We must have the attitude of Solomon, preferring Wisdom to all else, loving him more than even life itself. This love requires a leap of faith. We must trust in his promise, that all good things will come to us in his company. What, then, are the “many possessions” that keep us from giving ourselves totally to God? What are we clinging to - material things, comfort zones, relationships - that may be preventing us from living fully for Christ’s sake and the sake of the Gospel? Let us pray for the wisdom to enter into the kingdom of God, and the courage to follow Jesus.
In honor of these readings, we present our latest video, “Here I Am, Lord”. Also known as "I, the Lord of Sea and Sky", this hymn was written by American Catholic liturgical composer Dan Schutte in 1979. Its words are based on Isaiah 6:8 and 1 Samuel 3:4.
Schutte wrote the song at age 31 when he was studying theology at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. He was requested to compose, on short notice, a piece for the ordination Mass of a deacon, incorporating in the lyrics God's word, of Jesus as the light, and the bread and wine of the Eucharist.
Video can be watched by clicking here or on the picture below:
