Gospel Thought for Today
18th August Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Matthew 19:23-30
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich
to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Again I say to you,
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,
“Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men this is impossible,
but for God all things are possible.”
Then Peter said to him in reply,
“We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age,
when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,
will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for Ted Carrigan RIP.
Reflection:
After the rich young man realized that he was not up for Jesus’ challenge and left, the Lord warned His followers that it would be difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Such difficulty was illustrated when Christ said that “it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God”. Some commentators have said that the “Eye of a Needle” being referred here is a gate in Jerusalem which is opened when the main gate is closed at night. To enter this small gate, the camel must stoop down, and its baggage removed. Through this aphorism, the disciples reacted “Who then can be saved?”. We too might have thought the same. This question may stem from our lack of faith or perhaps our “swollen pride” as mentioned in today’s First Reading (Ezekiel 28:1-10).
Jesus did not promise that the road to salvation would be a stroll in the park. We may need to pass through various “Eyes of a needle” – challenges, temptations, and persecutions. But like the camel, we must remove all the baggage we carry – pride, sin, grudges, fears, doubts, attachments, vices, etc.- stoop down, and make our way through it. It would not be easy, but the Good News is: “for God all things are possible”.
- What things are holding you back from following Jesus and why?
- What excess baggage in your life are you willing to give up in exchange for eternal life?
- How did the trials in your life make you a better Christian?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. We humbly ask for Your forgiveness and surrender to You all those that prevent us from entering Your Kingdom. Hold us by the hand and we will follow You. Amen.
Fraternally,
Pietro
