28th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024
As many of you know, I recently moved here from Ticonderoga. Moving from one place to another always involves some challenges, but one thing that made it especially difficult for me in the past was the sheer amount of stuff I had accumulated.
I had boxes—boxes of books I hadn’t read in years, clothes I never wore, gadgets and trinkets that just sat there, gathering dust.
For years, I carried those boxes with me from assignment to assignment, from place to place! Every time I moved, I would lug them along, never opening them, never using any of the stuff inside.
But when the Bishop called me to this new assignment, I decided that it was time for a change. I went through all of those boxes and realized I didn’t really need any of it.
So, I gave most of it away—to people, to thrift shops—and what I couldn’t give away, I threw in the dumpster. And you know what? It made the move so much easier.
And, funny enough, I don’t miss any of it.
That experience got me thinking—why was I carrying so much for so long? And how much lighter would my journey have been if I’d let go sooner?
In today’s Gospel, we meet a young man who was also carrying a lot. He approached Jesus and asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
He was faithful, observing all the commandments, but when Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give to the poor, the man couldn’t do it.
He was too attached to his wealth. His burden was too heavy, and he walked away sad.
Isn’t that how we often feel? We want to follow Jesus, but we hold onto things—comfort, financial security, or even pride—that weigh us down and keep us from truly following Him.
In the first reading, we hear about the value of wisdom, which the author preferred over all wealth and power. It reminds us that true security doesn’t come from what we possess but from following God’s will.
The wisdom of God calls us to let go of what weighs us down so that we can embrace what truly matters.
This call to let go also ties into Respect Life Month, which we celebrate throughout October. Just as Jesus asked the young man to let go of his wealth for something greater, we are called to value and protect the gift of life—whether it’s the unborn, the elderly, the sick, or the marginalized.
No amount of wealth or comfort can replace the dignity of human life.
Even though letting go can be difficult, Jesus offers us hope. He tells us, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
With God’s help, we can let go of what holds us back and live in the freedom and wisdom of His Word.
What are you holding onto that’s weighing you down? What’s keeping you from following Christ fully?
Jesus is calling each of us to trust that whatever we let go of, He will replace it with something far greater.
As we continue our journey, let us commit to protecting the gift of life in all its forms and to follow Christ with hearts free from unnecessary burdens.
Let us pray for the grace to let go, to embrace God’s wisdom, and to live as true disciples of Christ. Amen.
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