Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, B

	Wisdom 7: 7-11
	Psalm 90
	Hebrews 4: 12-13
	Mark 10: 17-30

The point of comparison in the readings today is wisdom and material wealth.  The First 
Reading, taken from the book of Wisdom, rhapsodizes on the superiority of divine 
wisdom to the treasures of earthly wealth.  The Responsorial Psalm asks that God will 
“teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart;” it is through the 
possession of this wisdom that we will experience what we ask for in the refrain:  “Fill us 
with your love, O Lord!”  The Gospel is the story of Jesus and the rich young man.  The 
man calls Jesus, “Good Teacher,” and Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good?  No 
one is good but God alone.”  We need to see Jesus in his complete humanity, as well as in 
his divinity, as he makes this answer.  

St. Ephrem the Syrian says about this passage, 

“The rich man called Jesus ‘good’ as if he were offering him a favor, just as some favor 
others with honorary titles.  The Lord fled from that…so that he might show that he had 
received this goodness from the Father through nature and generation, and not merely in 
name. ‘Only One is good,’ he said, and did not remain silent, but added, ‘God,’ so that he 
might show that the Son is good in just the way that the Father is good.”   
Commentary on Tatian’s Diatessaron.  

Jesus asks the man about the commandments of the Law, and he answers that he has kept 
these from his youth.  Jesus then totally shocks him by saying, “You are lacking in one 
thing—go, sell what you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in 
heaven; then come, follow me.”  The Gospel says, poignantly, “He went away sad, for he 
had many possessions.”  Jesus does not say that wealth is bad, or that everyone needs to 
give all they own away.  That is not an end in itself—the goal is the following of Jesus, in 
order to enter into eternal life.

In the Second Reading, we continue our examination of the Letter to the Hebrews.  Today 
the pericope is discussing the Word of God.  The image used by the author is “sharper 
than a two-edged sword,” living and effective.  The Word will judge, not only those who 
refused to accept it when first offered, but also those who have not continued in faith and 
persevered toward growth in Christ. 

This hymn is based on today’s Scriptures:  MYM#27
“I prayed and pleaded, and the Lord
Gave prudence unto me;
With Wisdom’s spirit, God endowed
My heart, and set me free.
All gold, in view of her, is sand,
And silver, only mire;
For wisdom’s worth is more than gems, 
Or gold that’s tried in fire.

The call of Christ is wisdom’s call:
To hear the Word and live
In knowledge of this precious grace
Which God will freely give.
How wealth can block the path to God!
Cast all that blocks the way
Aside, and give God center place,
You children of the day!

God’s Word, alive and of effect,
Is sharp as two-edged sword,
Dividing, penetrating us
With grace from God adored!
Since nothing is concealed from God,
And we account must give,
Thus let us cling to Christ alone,
And in His mercy live!

	CMD
	Suggested tune:  Kingsfold

Propers from the Roman Gradual 

Introit:  Si iniquitates (Ps. 130:2-3)
If you, O Lord, were to mark those things which are done amiss,
O Lord, who could stand?
For among you all forgiveness is found, O God of Israel.
	Out of the depths have I called to you, O Lord;
	Lord, be attentive to my voice.

Offertory:  Recordare mei (Esther 14:12-13)
Remember me, O Lord, at this time,
you who are the master of all dominions;
and put eloquent speech into my mouth,
that my words may be found pleasing in the sight of the ruler.

Communion:  Aufer a me (Psalm 119: 22,24)
O turn from me the burden of shame and rebuke,
for I have kept, O Lord, all of your testimonies;
for your testimonies are my delight in meditation.

Propers from the Simple Gradual

The suite of antiphons and psalms from Ordinary Time VII 
(BFW 275–280, as well as BFW 250–253 and 262–264) — 
reverence and love for God — is especially appropriate.

Entrance: BFW 527 (For with the Lord there is steadfast love . . .)
Communion: BFW 279 (I long for you, my Savior . . .) 
    or BFW 645, 646, or 647 (Taste and see . . .  or Alleluia,  . . . )