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In today’s first reading from
the book of Wisdom we are told that wisdom is worth more than gold or
silver. Gold and silver are certainly more attractive. They shine and
glisten; they draw the attention of the observer. They sparkle with
their own importance.
Wisdom on the other hand is harder to find. Wisdom is unobtrusive. It
does not flaunt itself. The truly wise person must be invited to speak.
The fool will always offer an opinion. Gold and silver can make
lots of things happen; wisdom only interprets the truth.
Jesus reminds us that riches can be a trap! There was a young man who
had been truly blessed by God. He wanted to do more for God so he asked
Jesus what he should do. He had kept all of the laws of his faith from
birth. There was one more thing Jesus asked him to do; to go and sell
what he had, give it to the poor, and follow the Lord. At this the young
man failed. He had gold and silver, but he did not have wisdom.
Today many people are still learning how undependable gold and silver
are. They may have economic independence, a nice home, two cars. In an
instant it can all be taken away. The company folds, the plant moves,
the firm is sold.
There are questions of justice: a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s pay.
There are questions of charity: we should not let our brothers and
sisters wander the streets homeless and hungry. Wisdom teaches us how to
achieve justice and when to respond with charity.
The young man in the story did not, strictly speaking, owe any more to
God or his fellow man. He did however miss the chance of a lifetime.
That is why we know the names of all Jesus’ apostles except this one,
who did not know how much he was worth.
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