Wisdom words and wealth

The prayer of Solomon for Wisdom sets the stage for our consideration of the question of the rich young man to Jesus in the texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. What will this wisdom mean to Solomon? Father Larry Gillick SJ comments that the author of the Book of Wisdom is presenting an exhortation to the kings and rulers of Israel to be conscious of the temptation to forgo the traditions and observance of the spirit of the Covenant as the influence of neighbouring cultures may make temporal gain and success too attractive. The rich young man who kneels before Jesus seeking knowledge of the next step in the path to eternal life is seen, according to Father Larry, by the eyes of Jesus as a precious and loved person who in the eyes of the truth of the Word, described in the text from the Letter to the Hebrews, is laid bare and stands naked and beautiful before Jesus. The Teacher sees him as being possessed by his possessions and offers him wisdom about being free and fully alive. Father Larry is reminded of the student who seeks the knowledge or the certification of academic success but is not open to risk living as the experience of learning about self and our true needs. Friar Jude Winkler comments on the great surprise of Jesus disciples to His challenge to the rich young man. In Jesus time, wealth was understood to be evidence of the blessing of God on your life. We still cling to the idea that our wealth is helpful to our growth in our relationship with God. Friar Jude makes the obvious observation that the many, who have no material wealth, cling to hope in the grace of God more fervently than those secure in their wealth. The blessings, received in this time, by those who have been able to hear the Word of wisdom and move away from that which possesses them bring the life of peace, joy, community, hope and compassion in union through the Holy Spirit with the Body of Christ.