At the beginning of his reign, Solomon stood before God in prayer. He didn’t ask for riches, power to conquer his enemies; he prayed for wisdom, and it was granted to him. But his wisdom wasn’t just about knowing more or being smart. It was something that opened his eyes to what truly matters in life. Solomon realized that true wisdom helps us understand our place before God and the world.
We live in a world that measures success by how much we have: the size of our bank accounts, the cars we drive, the clothes we wear, and the positions we hold. We’re bombarded by the message that our worth is tied to what we own. But today’s first reading flips that upside down. Solomon is telling us that no amount of wealth, no worldly success can compare to the value of a heart that is aligned with God’s will. How many of us, if we’re being honest, spend more time worrying about our material needs than seeking the wisdom that leads to eternal life?
The Encounter with Jesus: More that Rules
It is this same truth that is revealed by Jesus in the Gospel. Here, we meet a young man who’s got it all: he’s wealthy, successful, and morally upright. By worldly standards, he’s living a good life. But with all these, he still felt something was lacking deep inside him. That is why he runs up to Jesus and ask: “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” It’s a question every one of us should be asking. We can keep all the commandments, follow the rules, but still feel something is lacking deep inside. Why? Because there’s a difference between merely following rules and truly following Christ. The former can easily lead to routine, formalism, and could be boring, while the latter brings life, joy, and liberation.
Jesus looked at this man with love. Think about this for a moment. He sees our struggles, our attachments, the things we’re holding unto, and He loves us in the middle of it all. But out of love, He asks this man to do something radical: to give up everything he owns and follow Him. Jesus isn’t asking this to punish or make life harder; He’s offering him freedom! But the man walks away sad, unable to let go of his possessions. And that’s the real tragedy.
The Challenge of Letting Go
Brothers and Sisters, how many of us are like this young man? We want to follow Jesus, but we’re holding onto things that keeps us from fully embracing Him. Maybe it’s our material possessions, maybe it’s our comfort, maybe it’s our pride. We say “Lord, I will follow you…but don’t ask me to give up this!” And Jesus, with love in His eyes, is saying, “Trust me. Let it go. What I offer is so much greater than anything this world can give.”
But here’s the good news: what is impossible for us is possible for and with God. Jesus knows it’s hard. He knows that following Him radically requires sacrifices, and He knows that sometimes it feels impossible to let go of the things we’ve come to depend on. But with God’s grace, we can do it. We don’t have to walk away sad like the rich man. We can walk forward in freedom, trusting that whatever we give up in this life will be returned to us in ways we can’t even imagine.
An Invitation to Trust
So today, as we reflect on these readings, lets ask ourselves: What are we holding onto that is keeping us from fully following Jesus freely and joyfully? Is it money? Success? Comfort? Fear of the unknown? Let’s bring those things before God in prayer and ask for wisdom to see what truly matters in life, the courage to trust that God’s plan for us is greater than our plans. May God grant us the wisdom and the grace to follow Him wherever He leads us. Amen.
[Readings: Wis 7:7-11; Heb 4:12-13; Mk 10:17-30 or 10:17-27]
