Season of the Year – Sunday 28B.
Mark 10:17-30 Wisdom 7:7-11.
Our life is defined by the decisions that we make; sometimes we manage to make good decisions – often something less than that. The first reading provides us with the example of the author of Wisdom who clearly prays for the right things – for understanding (prudence) and for the gift of Wisdom. When s/he receives these gifts, s/he values them more than the finest jewels; more than good health; more than beauty; more than honour and reputation; more than the greatest wealth. What do we hold onto? What do we cling to? What defines us? What choices have we made that identify who we are? In the Gospel we have this astounding figure of a rich man (Matthew also calls him young, and Luke calls him a ruler) who runs up to Jesus and puts this great question to him – what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus tells him first to keep the commandments – but after being told that these were already under control (wow!) Jesus simply gazes at him – and loves him. I suspect that if we let Jesus do the same thing to us – to stare at us – to love us – that we might find that there is one thing that we lack. What is our one thing? What is holding us back today? What do I need to surrender to the Lord?
Recorded at St Michael’s 8am (7’38”)