For the ancient Jew, wealth and possessions were seen as signs of God’s favor. So you can imagine why we hear about the disciples being so shocked in today’s Gospel when Jesus says: “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” How could the people God favors have a hard time entering his kingdom? If that is true, the disciples wonder, “who can be saved?”
Jesus’ reply holds the key: with God all things are possible. Wealth, power, and merit tend to give us a false sense of security. They can lull us into thinking we are in control of everything, including our own salvation. But nothing is possible without God. Salvation is God’s free gift, not something we earn, like money or reputation.
In today’s Gospel passage, we hear Jesus tell the young man that if he sells what he has and gives to the poor, he will store up treasure in heaven. Peter, in turn, tells Jesus that they have given up everything to follow him. We can imagine the question behind that statement: “What else do we need to do?” Jesus’ reply to Peter goes beyond giving away possessions to giving up land and even family. To follow Jesus wholeheartedly means valuing our relationship with him above all else.
We see this in the first reading about wisdom attributed to King Solomon. We hear him declare that he values wisdom more than scepter and throne, riches and gems, gold and silver, even beyond health, beauty and light. Wisdom outshines them all.
Likewise, our second reading from Hebrews says that the word of God is “living and effective.” The Word (or wisdom) of God can discern the thoughts and reflections of our hearts. And in the end, it is to the Word that we will have to make an account. Jesus is the Word of God, the source of our salvation. But, he is also our judge. We cannot hide our intentions from him. He knows our hearts.
Each of today’s readings remind us that this life is not the end to which we are called. To be a follower of Christ means keeping our eyes fixed on the ultimate goal of eternal life with God. Those who pursue wisdom receive all good things with her – “countless riches at her hands,” we hear in our first reading. Those who give up family, homes, and lands for the sake of the Gospel “receive a hundred times more now … and eternal life in the age to come.” This is the treasure we hope to possess. This is our inheritance as God’s children. Although this gift is ours for the taking, we can lose it if we become too distracted by the world. Let us reach for eternal life and make sure nothing gets in the way.