28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME B
TO BE RICH IN LOVE
MK 10: 17-30
MESSAGE
What a striking contrast we have in the gospel today. A rich young man with a big question about life now, and in the future. And Jesus, poor itinerant preacher, who holds the secret to the young man’s quest. At first glance, it would seem that Jesus was telling the rich man not to be rich. Who would not want to be rich? This attribute of the man is precisely the dream of most of us. But Jesus does not condemn riches, for every blessing comes from God to make man live meaningfully.
The Lord is challenging the man not only to follow the laws he has learned by faith, but also to free his heart from attachments to riches – to things, places, people – that enslave his heart. Only when a person is not attached to worldly things, can he truly follow Jesus – can he truly love as Jesus loves. There is nothing wrong with riches, but those who have must be willing to share – “give to the poor” – otherwise, they love only themselves. This is not the attitude of God, and certainly not the value of Jesus. To be attached to riches, material things, and worldly things is not life-giving.
Notice Jesus, though; when he looked at the man, the gospel says, “he loved him.” What a beautiful short phrase filled with meaning. Jesus looks at us, all of us, and loves us. His love makes us feel the presence of the Father and the grace of the Spirit. Jesus is capable of loving in this way, because he was poor, meaning, he was not attached to the material. The Lord sees the physical, yes, but values the spiritual more; he shares not money or property, but the love in his heart which comes from the Spirit. He did not have what the rich man had, but he had all the love the man needed for this life and for the next.
REFLECT
What are the “inordinate” attachments to which your heart inclines? What are those things, persons, places, or conditions in life which take precedence over love of God and neighbor? Ask the Lord this week to give you freedom to follow him, to love like him, to attain eternal life by loving like him.
