Hymns for Mass – Press Here

FIRST READING (I deemed riches nothing in comparison to wisdom.)

A reading from the Book of Wisdom (7:7-11)

I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. I preferred her to scepter and throne, and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her, nor did I liken any priceless gem to her; because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand, and before her, silver is to be accounted mire. Beyond health and comeliness I loved her, and I chose to have her rather than the light, because the splendor of her never yields to sleep. Yet all good things together came to me in her company, and countless riches at her hands. —The Word of the Lord.

R. Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17)

R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy! (Ps 90:14)

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! (R)

Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days. Make us glad, for the days when you afflicted us, for the years when we saw evil. (R)

Let your work be seen by your servants and your glory by their children; and may the gracious care of the Lord our God be ours; prosper the work of our hands for us! Prosper the work of our hands! (R)

SECOND READING (The word of God discerns reflections and thoughts of the heart.)

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (4:12-13)

Brothers and sisters: Indeed the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account. —The Word of the Lord.

R. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Mt 5:3)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (R)

(Long Form)

GOSPEL (Sell what you have, and follow me.)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (10:17-30)

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father you’re your mother.” He replied and said to Jesus, “Teacher, all of theseI have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands,with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.” — The Gospel of the Lord.

R. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

(Short Form)

GOSPEL (Sell what you have, and follow me.)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (10:17-27)

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father you’re your mother.” He replied and said to Jesus, “Teacher, all of theseI have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” —The Gospel of the Lord.

R. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily

“CHOOSE LIFE!” 

In the Book of Deuteronomy, there is a re-telling of the story of the death of the great patriarch, Moses where his last words are, “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.” While this is a rather stern warning, it is also a bit curious. The choice seems pretty obvious. Who would choose death over life? Our readings this Sunday present to us a similar set of choices for our reflection. The author of Wisdom sets before us a choice between WISDOM and the SYMBOLS of royalty. And for the young man in the Gospel, it is between a renunciation of riches over against possessions. In both cases, the choice is not only stark but the options are clearly explained. 

In our first reading the choice is not between good and evil; it is between good and good. The symbols of scepter and throne suggest royal authority and governance over others. While such power can certainly be abused, it is meant to be exercised in service. In and of itself, this is a good. And although wealth and prosperity can sometimes be acquired through cheating and fraud, in the wisdom tradition they are regarded as rewards and a blessing for righteous living. More so in these last few months, health is considered a blessing from God, and beauty is always admired. However. the writer claims that, compared with wisdom, none of these has lasting value. The lesson is that to choose any of them over wisdom is to choose EMPTINESS. This is pretty close to the warning from Moses.

The young man in the Gospel does not ask merely for LIFE; he asks for ETERNAL LIFE. He has been a faithful adherent to the Law. But he is not fully satisfied. He wants to do more. He is a good man: “Jesus looked at him, loved him.” So in response to his request, Jesus instructs him: “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor.” The man was startled with this request. He could not easily accept this unique challenge. What Jesus was asking was too much – more than he could handle. The young man was ready and willing to do more, but he was unable to do with less.

Today, we have two examples of how difficult it is to CHOOSE LIFE. Our brief 2nd reading from Hebrews makes the same point. The Word of God does cut deep – to the bone. It is incisive and probing. It leaves our inner self naked and exposed. However, like the other readings today, it gives us a glimpse of the ultimate prize of choosing wisely. For in the end, all good things that were sacrificed in favour of wisdom come along with the gift or possession of wisdom, fulfilling what Jesus promises, that those willing to forego earthly treasures will have treasure in heaven.

Is this a too-simplistic or facile attempt to persuade us to choose the difficult path? Ask others who have made the choice. They will tell us that despite what wealthy and prosperity might afford, they do not guarantee fulfillment and happiness. Very often we experience a sense of well-being after we have had the opportunity to serve others. Parents and friends are rewarded when they are able to help their loved ones to thrive. Teachers and health care workers, engineers and carpenters give their time and talents freely to make life better for those who have little or nothing. They often enjoy personal satisfaction and the gratitude of those whom they have helped. In a very real way, they are blessed with a hundredfold of sisters and brothers whose lives they have touched. 

Such unselfishness is real, but it is often difficult. “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.” Jesus uses a graphic metaphor to illustrate how hard it is for those who are weighed down by prosperity to pass through the narrow opening of a needle. Nowhere in his teaching – as I mentioned two weeks ago – does Jesus say that wealth is bad. But he reminds us that it could be a hindrance; it can get in the way if we selfishly hug it all for ourselves.

Our readings today describe situations in which holding possessions is one of the options. But there are other “treasures” that we might be inclined to choose over wisdom or selflessness. Our reputation may be high on the list. Are we tempted to exaggerate our accomplishments to appear even more successful? What personal values are sometimes compromised for the sake of being praised? What force might be overwhelming us as we try to get ahead to be “number one”? Personal comfort could be that gigantic camel trying to squeeze through the small opening. 

Maybe we feel pressured? Why should I always be the one to “go the extra mile” for others? Why should we have to worry about children in some far off place of war? Why should we care about nameless poor or elderly? If we are faithful to our obligations as Catholics, Christians and members of a parish community, isn’t that enough?

Our readings today challenge us – just as they challenged the people of the Old Testament and the young man in his encounter with Jesus. God has set before us our reputation and wisdom, comfort and eternal life. What will you choose? CHOOSE LIFE!

Prayers

Celebrant:  Jesus Christ challenges us to exchange the material riches of this world for his eternal wisdom. Our prayers, as his people, can help us enter his Kingdom.

READER: That our Church may continue in her ministry to free men and women from the lure of materialism and folly (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

READER: That wealthy nations may share their resources with poor nations and not exploit them, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

READER: That Christians who are blessed with wealth may learn the wisdom of sharing what they have through generous charity, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

READER: That we may have wisdom to understand and interpret God’s living and active word in our life, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

READER: [SMC only…For the repose of the soul of Jason Mong Chun NG, for whom this Mass is offered, and]For all the deceased that they may inherit eternal life and the riches of the Kingdom , (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD

CELEBRANT: Most loving Father, hear the petitions of the people you have gathered at this altar to hear your Word of wisdom and to be nourished by your beloved Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever, (all) AMEN.