The Riches Of Wisdom

Welcome a new season as fall colors radiate from leaves remaining on the trees that withstood the gales of Hurricane Ida. There exists a resounding appreciation for the slightly cooler temperatures with a renewed sense of hope in the Lord. As seasons change, the love of God remains constant. Meditating on this we turn to the Mass readings for the 28th and 29th Sundays in Ordinary Time, which speak of the spirit of wisdom, the call of detachment and a summary of the mission of Jesus. 

Wisdom (Wis 7:7-11)

The writings of King Solomon in the Book of Wisdom are inspiring. While discerning God’s offer to Solomon for anything he asks, Solomon prayed for prudence, the pivotal of the four cardinal virtues and the one that “disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and choose the right means of acting toward it.” 

Prudence guides the other virtues, setting rules and measures of decision making, for example, following the Ten Commandments. With prudence, Solomon asks God for wisdom and understanding above earthly treasure. Wisdom, the highest gift of the Holy Spirit, is received in the sacrament of baptism then “increased and deepened in the sacrament of confirmation” (Catechism of The Catholic Church 1303). It is a “spiritual gift which enables one to know the purpose and plan of God” (CCC 1831). Would this be the gift I would request from God?  How can I grow in the virtue of wisdom?

What must I do? (Mk 10:17-30)

We are familiar with the Gospel passage. A man runs to Jesus, kneels before him as an acknowledgement of humility and surrender. The man seeks wisdom, asking, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus points the man to the goodness of God, who is the source of eternal life. He also makes apparent the path via the Ten Commandments, foundations of love for God and neighbor. The man basically says, “I do obey the commandments.” Jesus, with deep love, reveals to the man that he lacks just one thing – detachment. “Sell what you have, give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow me.” Wait. Jesus, you are asking me to sell everything that gives me some sense of security, donate the money from the sale to the poor and follow you? 

This is not to say that having material goods is wrong or bad. But, as Bishop Robert Barron of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles teaches, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven is a formula for detachment. How blessed are you if you are not attached to material things? If you have not placed the good that wealth can buy at the center of your concern. When the kingdom of God is your ultimate concern, not only will you not become addicted to material things you will, in fact, be able to use them with great effectiveness for God’s purposes.” How am I effectively using the goods I have for the building up of the kingdom of God and in accord with God’s plan? What is the center of my concern: seeking God’s wisdom or something else?

Seated with Christ (Mk 10:35-45)

Following the previous teaching is a request made by brothers, St. James and St. John, to sit on either side of Jesus when his glory comes. This is a place of great honor. Jesus is aware of their lack of understanding. His glory comes with suffering and a different baptism, the passion of the cross. As Jesus endures his Passion, suffering and death to offer salvation for all by his ultimate sacrifice, so too will the apostles endure much suffering as the mission of discipleship embraces struggles, rejection, crosses and glory in Jesus. 

Jesus affirms that no one will be greater than the other. Rather, to follow Jesus is to accept his mission as our own. He explains, “For the son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

As we strive to be “seated” with Jesus do we answer “yes” to the call of servant leadership and offer sacrifice of our lives as self-gift for the good of the other and the glory of God in Jesus Christ? Am I seeking worldly power, pleasure, wealth and honor, as Bishop Barron explains in his series? Or am I a servant leader that will hopefully guide others to the person of Jesus Christ? “All things are possible for God” (Mk 10:27).

Year of St. Joseph

Loving, St. Joseph, your life was a living sacrifice for God. We ask for your intercession that we may offer our life in holy service, guided by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God! Amen.

Dow is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.