Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv DD STL, Bishop of Parramatta
Homily for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Readings: Wisdom 7:7-11; Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30
Beyond self-centred ambition to radical and vulnerable discipleship
Dear sisters and brothers,
We live in a society that is increasingly fragmented and undermined by the unequal distribution of wealth and resources. The gap between the rich and the poor is widening. The common good that binds us all together in public responsibility is threatened by unbridled individualism.
Surely, as Christians we cannot be indifferent to – let alone be complicit in – the culture of entitlement, power and might over against the care of one another, especially the most vulnerable.
Today’s scripture teaches us about what it takes to be the true follower of Jesus. We are called to grow beyond selfish ambition and personal well-being to a life of witness and service. It is to choose an alternative mode of thinking and living – one that is modelled on the self-emptying example of the Suffering Servant of God.
The first reading gives us a reflection on how to live with the wisdom of God as opposed to the conventional wisdom that enables us to attain happiness measured in worldly terms.
Instead of saying health and wealth are the rewards of a life of faith, the author takes us to a higher level of spiritual maturity. We are told to pursue integrity and righteousness over and above worldly rewards such as scepters and thrones, silver and gold or health and beauty.
This theological reflection takes the concept of righteous living to a new level. Thus, success, longevity and wealth are not necessarily correlative to righteousness. Instead, the ultimate price we may have to pay for a life of authentic faith is poverty rather than riches, defeat rather than victory and shame rather than honour.
This deeper strand within the biblical tradition is an indictment of the so-called “Prosperity Gospel” that is still rampant today.
Unfortunately, this spiritual maturity is not where the rich young man in the Gospel was at. On the face of it, he was a good and honourable man. He ticked all boxes.
But when Jesus challenged him to go home, sell his possessions, give the money to the poor and follow him, this young man revealed his true colours. He could not part with his wealth and security. He could not accept the radical demands of discipleship. He walked away sad and disappointed because he was too attached to his status as a man of riches and power.
Jesus felt deeply sorry for him because the young man had missed the opportunity to outgrow himself. He had chosen his comfort zone and self-interest; he had refused to let go of his possessions which shackled him to a life of self-centredness. He was like that older brother in the parable of the prodigal son. His religious observance was only a façade. Scratch the surface of both the elder brother and the rich young man in today’s Gospel, we find a stifled, stagnated and self-centred person.
“It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
The Word of God today lays bare the radical demands of Christian discipleship. Jesus makes it clear that to follow him means to stake everything we have and everything we are on God’s promise. It is like Abraham taking Isaac who was the sum of his hopes and surrendering him in an act of total and radical trust.
Unless we are ready to exchange our own prosperity, security and safety for the sake of the kingdom, we are not worthy to be his disciples. Radical and vulnerable discipleship commits us to actualising God’s reign even at a personal cost.
So “passing through the eye of the needle” is a metaphor for dying to oneself. Jesus asks us as he asked the rich young man to abandon security in favour of vulnerability, self-interest in favour of deep solidarity and pathos for the poor.
In the world in which people amass wealth and place personal security as number one priority, we Christians are called to negotiate between survival orientation and vulnerability, accumulation and distributive justice. This was what the early Christian community did.
They abandoned the default position of self-interest and embraced radical communion. They shared their possessions and made sure that no one was left behind. They formed an intentional community of sharing in common with each other and looking after the most vulnerable.
Dear friends,
Today, we commend to God our new Pastor Fr Johnson Joseph, who along with his Somascan confreres, will lead this community in a new chapter.
Originally known as “The Company of the Servants of the Poor”, they dedicate themselves to the care assistance, promotion of poor, orphans, and abandoned youth.
We are very blessed to welcome them into the Diocese and particularly into Padre Pio Parish. It is my hope and prayer that you will emulate the early Christian community in your mutual love, care and outreach, both within and outside these walls.
Let us be strengthened in our commitment to radical discipleship. May the teaching and example of Jesus guide us as we endeavour to build our Church, relationships and communities that mirror the Reign of God.
May we learn to grow and become a more effective instrument and a sign of hope for the human family.