Scripture Study for
Twenty-Eight Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wisdom 7:7–11 / Psalm 90:14 / Hebrews 4:12–13 / Mark 10:17–30 [17–27]
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Understanding the Word
By Br. John R. Barker, OFM
Biblical wisdom literature regularly affirms that wisdom, often personified as a woman, is a greater treasure than anything else because wisdom gives insight into the ways of God. Those who prize wisdom and seek to live according to her teachings are assured of living in accordance with God’s will, which naturally leads to happiness. The traditional author of Wisdom, Solomon, is the representative par excellence of the person who prizes wisdom above all earthly wealth. Wisdom is more beautiful, splendid, and enriching than any other of God’s creations because she is “a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty . . . the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of his goodness” (7:25, 26). Nothing brings humans closer to God than wisdom.
The section of Hebrews between last week’s and this week’s readings (3:1 — 4:11) contains an exhortation to remain faithful, learning from the experience of Israel, whose infidelity in the wilderness led an entire generation to be denied entry into the Promised Land, or their “rest.” Thus those who would follow Christ into their “sabbath rest” must remain faithful. The author has drawn on several passages from scripture (in which we hear “the word of God”) to make this point, and now affirms that this same “word of God,” identified implicitly as Jesus, brings either salvation or judgment, depending on one’s response. This word of God, which cannot be deceived, sees further within us than we are able to see ourselves.
At first glance Jesus’ correction of the man who calls him “good” seems like a needless quibble, but its point soon becomes clear. The man has kept the commandments from his youth, so why ask Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life? What more might there be to do? Perhaps he assumes that he actually lacks nothing, that he himself is “good.” Jesus’ correction then appears to be a lesson in humility. The man reveals that he is not able to truly follow Jesus because he clings not only to his possessions, but perhaps also to a sense of his own “goodness.”