The Demands of Discipleship and the Pursuit of Wisdom

Homily for the Twenty-eight Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Bible Readings: Wisdom 7:7-11; Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30

The liturgical readings for this 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time bring to light two essential themes: the demands of discipleship and the pursuit of wisdom. They invite us to reflect on the cost of truly following Jesus and the value of wisdom that leads to eternal life. The readings challenge us to ask ourselves: What are we willing to let go of to gain Christ, and how can we live wisely in a world that often promotes a different set of values?

The first reading from the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 7:7-11) provides a foundation for understanding the pursuit of wisdom. Solomon prayed and received the gift of wisdom, which he regarded as more valuable than wealth, power, and even health. He exclaimed, “I preferred her to scepter and throne, and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her” (Wisdom 7:8). This wisdom is not mere intellectual knowledge; it is an understanding of God’s will and a deep sense of discernment about life’s purpose. For Solomon, wisdom is superior to all earthly possessions because it guides the heart to seek what truly matters. Unlike material wealth that can be fleeting, wisdom leads to lasting joy and a righteous life. This theme of prioritizing wisdom over worldly goods sets the stage for the Gospel’s message on the demands of discipleship.

The Gospel reading (Mark 10:17-30) presents one of the most striking stories in the New Testament: the encounter between Jesus and the rich young man. The man approached Jesus, asking, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). Jesus responded by listing the commandments, which the man affirmed he had kept since his youth. However, Jesus took the conversation further by saying, “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me” (Mark 10:21).

Here, Jesus reveals the heart of discipleship: it is not just about obeying commandments but surrendering one’s entire life to God. The young man’s possessions were not just his wealth; they were his security and identity. Jesus invites him to let go of these things, to detach from them so that he can truly be free to follow God. However, the man goes away sad because he is unable to make this sacrifice. This story echoes the theme of the first reading: true wisdom recognizes the temporal nature of wealth and seeks eternal values. Jesus teaches that the pursuit of God’s Kingdom requires us to prioritize it above all else, even our most cherished possessions.

The second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 4:12-13) complements this theme by highlighting the power of God’s Word. It states, “Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). God’s Word reveals our true intentions, challenges our comfort zones, and calls us to conversion. In the context of the Gospel, this means that the Word of God reveals the attachments we hold in our hearts. It exposes the things we cling to, the idols that prevent us from fully following Christ. Like the rich young man, we might outwardly live moral lives, but God’s Word challenges us to dig deeper and see if we are truly committed to Him or if we are still holding back.

But the story did not end in despair. The Gospel passage ends with a promise: those who live a life of detachment and make sacrifices for the sake of the Kingdom will receive “a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come” (Mark 10:30). Jesus assured His disciples that whatever they give up for God’s sake will not be lost. The sacrifices might be painful, but they lead to a deeper sense of community and a richer, more fulfilling life. This promise echoes Solomon’s wisdom that true wealth is not in what we possess but in the relationship we build, the love we share, and the hope of eternal life. Wisdom teaches us to see beyond the immediate and to embrace the eternal.

Lastly, these readings remind us that true discipleship calls for total surrender, not merely a compliance with rules but a transformation of the heart. Like Solomon, we are invited to seek wisdom that helps us prioritize God’s will over worldly distractions. Like the rich young man, we are challenged to let go of anything that hinders our relationship with God. Let us ask ourselves: What do I hold on to that prevents me from fully following Jesus? Am I willing to surrender it, trusting that God’s promise of eternal life is far more valuable than anything this world can offer? May God grant us the grace to seek wisdom, follow Him wholeheartedly, and live lives that reflect His love and truth.