feasting on the word
"If you meditate on the Scriptures it will appear to you in its brilliant splendor." ―St. Pio of Pietrelcina
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) Wisdom 7:7-11 | Psalm 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17 | Hebrews 4:12-13 | Mark 10:17-27 God speaks to us clearly through the Scripture readings of the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. They call us to seek wisdom above material wealth, to hear God's word and respond with our whole heart, and to hold nothing in our hearts more precious than Jesus. A bus full of politicians was driving down a country road when it suddenly veered off and crashed into a tree on an old farmer's land. The farmer, Broderick, saw the whole thing and went over to check it out. After assessing the scene, he dug a hole and buried the politicians. A few days later, Officer Gaudencio, the local police chief, came by, saw the wrecked bus, and asked Broderick where the politicians were. Broderick told him he had buried them. Surprised, Officer Gaudencio asked, "Were they all dead?" Broderick shrugged and said, "Well, a few of them claimed they weren't, but you know how politicians are—they always lie!" King Solomon succeeded his father David and ruled Israel from 961 to 922 B.C. Though not mentioned in the Book of Wisdom, his name is associated with it, as reflected in the title Wisdom of Solomon in the Greek Old Testament. In chapters 7-9, a prayer echoes Solomon’s plea in 1 Kings 3:5-12, where, having just become king, God appeared to him in a dream, asking what he desired. Solomon requested wisdom to govern the people, a choice that pleased the Lord. In the prayer, the king says, "I prayed, and the Spirit of wisdom came to me. I preferred her to scepters and thrones and regarded wealth as nothing." Solomon, viewed as an ideal wise ruler, prioritized wisdom over riches, health, and power, seeking to fulfill God's mission rather than personal gain. God rewarded this humility by granting him not only wisdom but also unprecedented wealth and honor. As we reflect on recent political events, if modern leaders acknowledged the limitations of human wisdom and sought divine guidance, setting aside selfish ambitions for the common good, the nation could be transformed. True wisdom begins with reverence for God, recognizing His ways as superior, and understanding that earthly possessions are tools for achieving eternal happiness with Him. We must value heavenly treasures above all else. Eliza, a high school senior, spent her time sharing Bible verses on her Facebook and Instagram, believing in their significance but not fully grasping their meaning. One morning, Father Gideon invited her to pray in the campus chapel and read from Hebrews about how the Word of God is sharper than a sword. As those words resonated, her heart started racing, and all the hidden thoughts, desires, and sins she had buried deep inside began to emerge. She recalled the pride she felt when she received compliments on her work, the envy she experienced when others were recognized, and the bitterness that came when life seemed unfair. She always considered herself a good person, but now, under the intense light of God’s Word, she faced the reality of her heart. It was laid bare, like an open book. Father Gideon reassured her that the purpose of God’s Word is not to condemn but to heal. Touched by this, Eliza found peace. From that moment on, she stopped just posting Bible verses on social media; she began to live by them, allowing the Word of God to work in her heart. She understood it would reveal her inner self but also guided her toward grace and transformation. In today's Second Reading, the author of the Letter to the Hebrews emphasizes the omnipotence of God. Through the analogy of a sword, the writer illustrates how God's word penetrates deeply, uncovering and discerning the hidden intentions and desires of a person’s heart. Just as a sword can cut through the human body, so too can the word of God divide and reveal the innermost aspects of the human soul, laying bare what is otherwise concealed. No one can hide their true motives from God, for, as Scripture states, "everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of Him." Jesus understands our struggles and continually offers us opportunities to choose Him, to break free from our attachments, and to surrender to His will. Whether it be the loss of a loved one, a challenging week, unexpected financial burdens, or material loss, these trials are allowed by Jesus for our sanctification. Our task is to make the most of these moments. The Word of God calls us to a profound level of obedience, and the wisest course for Christians is to listen to His word and respond wholeheartedly, lest we become lost in the wilderness of life. Frédéric Chopin's body was laid to rest in Paris, where he built his career as a composer and pianist during the Romantic era. But his heart, quite literally, went back to Poland, the country of his birth, and is preserved in a crystal urn inside a pillar at the Church of the Holy Cross in Warsaw. The Polish people cherished and respected him so much that they made sure a part of him stayed with them. Now, if your heart were to be buried where you loved most in life, where would it be? At your office? At home? In your car? Or even the bank? Remember, where your treasure is, your heart will be too. Where is your heart? What are the "many possessions" that prevent us from fully giving ourselves to Christ? Are we clinging to material goods, comforts, or certain relationships? We exchange our values for superficial gains—believing empty political promises, allowing disrespectful words about God, and standing by as our faith and the Church are ridiculed. We have cast aside our Christian values, agreeing to laws that threaten the sanctity of marriage and family. Is there anything more valuable than your soul? Is anything more important than eternal life? Yet, we often allow trivial, false pleasures to rob us of our faith and the kingdom of heaven. Like the rich man, we may approach the Lord with enthusiasm but walk away in sadness because, although we follow the commandments, certain attachments prevent us from giving our whole hearts to Him. Brothers and sisters, to grasp the Savior’s hand, we must first let go of the counterfeit treasures we hold. Jesus calls to us, "Come to Me, trust in Me. I am your true treasure and can satisfy your heart as no one else can." <enrique,ofs>
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About JeffJeff Jacinto, PhD, DHum |