28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) 13th October 2024

A Reflection by: FR VINCENT CARMELBHAVAN, SSP, SOCIETY OF ST PAUL, MUMBAI, INDIA. -------------------------------------------------------------- Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, On this 28th Sunday, the readings invite us to reflect on the question: “What must I do to have eternal life?” The Readings reveal to us the profound truth that eternal life does not begin at the end of our earthly existence, but right here, in the present moment, when we open our hearts to God and to one another. Eternal life is something we can already taste when we live generously, share our resources, and, above all, share the Good News of Jesus Christ. In the first reading from the book of Wisdom, we hear of Solomon asking God for the gift of WISDOM. He prays for understanding, and in receiving this wisdom, he declares that all riches, power, and wealth fade away in comparison to the knowledge of God. Solomon's choice teaches us to be wise and to look for things of eternal significance. What truly endures is our connection to God and our generosity to others. The Second Reading taken from the Letter to the Hebrews presents the Word of God as a living and active force. It penetrates deep into our hearts, discerning our true intentions. Nothing is hidden from God’s gaze, and we are all laid bare before Him. The Word of God challenges us to live authentically, to be generous with our resources, and to use what we have to build God's Kingdom here on earth. Finally in today’s Gospel, we meet a young man with a lot excitement and enthusiasm, comes running, and kneels down before Jesus with a question: “GOOD TEACHER, WHAT MUST I DO TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE?” He has faithfully observed all the commandments from his younger days, but he wants to do more to be perfect and to possess the full measure of eternal life. Seeing his generosity, Jesus loves him. But this enthusiastic encounter ends when Jesus challenges him with this statement: “YOU LACK ONE THING, GO AND SELL ALL THAT YOU HAVE AND GIVE TO THE POOR AND YOU WILL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN, AND COME AND FOLLOW ME”. His face fell. He was disheartened and he went away sorrowful for he was a man of great possession. The encounter began with great excitement but ends with disappointment. This story challenges us to examine what holds us back from fully embracing eternal life. It is said, “The strength of the chain is at its weakest link”. The rich man kept all the commandments, but his weakest link was that he was attached to wealth and material possessions. Is this not true of me and you? We may be good in every sense, but there is one attachment that comes in the way of our following Jesus. What is that attachment? For the rich man it was his riches. For us, it could be: persons, power, places, possessions, pleasure, porn, our job, or whatever. Is there someone or something in my life that I just cannot do without? Someone or something that has such a strong grip on me that I cannot set myself free from? Jesus wasn’t condemning wealth itself but rather the attachment to it that prevents us from loving God and others wholeheartedly. Use things but never allow them to enslave us or use us. Then we lose our freedom. All that we are attached to, will pass away today or tomorrow. We will have to leave them behind. The only things we can take with us to heaven are those things that we have given away for the sake God’s kingdom. Jesus promised the young man “Give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven”. Today, we are also celebrating Mission Sunday, a reminder that we are all called to share the greatest resource we have—the Good News of Jesus Christ. Just as we are called to share our material wealth, we are also called to share the spiritual riches we have received. Each one of us is a missionary, whether at home, in our workplaces, or in our parish communities. Our mission is to share the love, mercy, and hope we have found in Christ. By sharing the Gospel, we are inviting others into the eternal life that begins now, a life of joy, peace, and love of God. On this Mission Sunday, let us remember that our greatest treasure is not our material wealth but the Good News of Jesus Christ. Let us go forth, sharing both our resources and the message of salvation with everyone we meet, building the Kingdom of God here on earth and beginning to experience eternal life on this earth. I like to end with a prayer of Saint John Cardinal Newman: “Dear Lord, if at the end of my life, I have lost everything but found You, I have lost nothing. But if at the end of my life, I have lost You and found everything, I have lost everything.” God bless you!