October 9, 2024 at 10:56 a.m.
Looking with God’s perspective
Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. — Wisdom 7:7
The First Reading from the Book of Wisdom creates a yearning within us for this amazing gift of wisdom, which is more valuable than any riches, even beyond health. Wisdom is the gift of the Spirit that helps us see things from God’s perspective. Now, that might sound neat and tidy, but after seeing things as God does, we are called to make decisions from God’s perspective, which is always from the standpoint of love. So the basic question is, “What is the most loving thing I can do in this present moment, in this situation?” Wisdom turns us from amassing power, control and prestige to choosing the way of humility and service, which is what God desires. No wonder “all good things come to us in her company!”
In the Gospel, Jesus shows us how a person filled with wisdom behaves. First, he deflects the complement of being good — since only God is truly good. Jesus remains in the place of truth and humility. Then Jesus reminds the man of the commandments, which see life from God’s perspective of acting with love and justice.
The man declares that he has kept these “from my youth.” He is looking for what more he needs to do to inherit eternal life. Here is where the man shows a need for wisdom. He is eager to do more so that he can have eternal life. But a relationship with God is not built on meritocracy, on doing to get, on proving goodness to achieve. Love is the foundation of a true relationship. God gives lavishly and freely. We are called to give in the same manner. Doing the commandments is important, but loving without cost is deeper. So Jesus calls the man to this deeper relationship, this deeper way of living. Jesus asks him to let go of all he owned — not just possessions, but his way of approaching God and others, not as a business deal — but as a generous act of mercy and kindness.
Jesus is seeing the man with wisdom as God sees. Jesus sees with love. “Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, ‘You are lacking one thing. Go sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come follow me.’ ” Out of love, Jesus calls him to be more, to love deeper, to live more fully. Unfortunately, the man could not. His possessions were chains that held him down. The man could not see with God’s wisdom; his wealth blinded him. Perhaps he needed more time to grow in love, to let go of things so he could cling to God and neighbor.
Jesus acknowledges that this is hard for those who cling to things. Peter jumps in and reminds Jesus that the disciples have left everything and Jesus explains that this will be rewarded, especially with “eternal life.” Eternal life is not life lasting forever, but life that is God-like, life that gives generously and loves lavishly, life that brings joy, serenity of heart and peace of mind, not just in the hereafter, but now.
Of course, we are left with questions. Perhaps our question is like the man’s — what must I do to gain eternal life? Maybe entering into a serious relationship with Jesus is scary when all we wanted to do is to keep a balance sheet.
Perhaps our question is, “What do you mean, Jesus, when you say that I must give up my possessions and follow you?” Is that practical in our times? How much do I give up? How do I live? Is the cost of discipleship too high?
Many times we read the Gospel as a story that is not related to our lives. But that is the challenge and that is where the wisdom lies. The call is real. Jesus looks at us with love, but still asks us to make hard decisions. We need to reflect on the call and how we can respond. The gift of wisdom, the gift given to us at baptism and strengthened in confirmation will help us to honestly see our lives from God’s perspective.
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