Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
When we put what is more important ahead of other important things, when we give more attention to what is better among various good things, then we often see how the other things fall into line. Work is important, yet when we put our family (which is of greater importance) first in our minds and hearts and schedules, then we can approach our work with a proper motivation, remembering the persons we love for whom we are spending our efforts.
Power, riches, health, beauty are all good things (if used rightly). Yet, it is the pursuit of wisdom that puts these good things into order. When we dedicate ourselves to seeking the Holy Spirit’s view of our world and our lives, then we see for what goal we are to use our health, our riches, authority. In the first reading, Solomon says that he prayed for wisdom (which is more important) rather than for a throne; that he saw money as nothing when compared to wisdom; that he loved wisdom more than health, more than beauty. A world motivated by the pursuit of comeliness, the search for wealth, lust for power, and obsessed with individual bodily health will be shocked by Solomon’s prayer and Solomon’s priorities. Yet, such a world is destined for the sadness of the rich young man in the Gospel who turns his back on Jesus, Wisdom Incarnate, who loves him and who calls him to the love that will make him truly live, that will give him true happiness.
To put wisdom first is not to lose all good things, it is rather to receive the goodness of all things far more fully. Let us pray that we may have wisdom, especially from listening to Jesus’ invitation to each of us today to give, particularly to those in need, and so to hear Him who knows how to give to us all that we need in this world and in the world to come.