Re: Meditation Minute

Hey Uncle Mike,

I wanted to let you know that I have some friends who are currently
deployed to the Persian Gulf. It's the command I deployed with in
2008. Well I started forwarding your beautiful writings along. I
recieved an email today from one of the guys telling me how much he
looks forward to reading the good words in the daily meditation
minute. It is giving him something wonderful to focus on each day.
Thank you so much!

Lots of love,

Alaina D. O'Quinn

On Aug 17, 2010, at 6:40 AM, "Michael Marcon"
<mike@themarconfamily.com> wrote:

> My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
>
>
>
> "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than f
> or one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God."
>
>
>
> Gospel Reading: Matthew 19:23-30
>
>
>
> Jesus said to his disciples: "Amen, I say to you, it will be hard fo
> r 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 w
> ill 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 i
> s seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thron
> es, 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."
>
>
>
> After reading yesterday's gospel reading and then reflecting on toda
> y's, one would again think that being a "rich man" would be a
> sin. Jesus tells his disciples: ", I say to you, it will be hard fo
> r 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." Like in yesterday
> 's gospel, the reference to being a "rich man" again refers to
> our alliances and the Kingdom of heaven refers to our soul. So wha
> t do we store in our hearts, the love of money or the love for God.
> If we fill our hearts more with earthly treasures, we push out God.
> We destroy his kingdom within us. Jesus is telling us that if we
> invest in worldly treasures, we will not share in the Kingdom of God
> . We must be willing to invest our time and our talents in the chur
> ch – the one true Kingdom. Jesus is not opposed to the wealthy; in
> fact he had friends who are wealthy. But he tells us that "it is ea
> sier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle." The eye of the
> needle was the small door that allowed late night travelers to ente
> r into the city without having to leave the large gates open. A man
> would only have to bow down to enter through this door, but a camel
> would have to get on his knees and crawl through the door. This wa
> s a very difficult task for a camel, but not impossible. Jesus reas
> sures disciples that "With men this is impossible, but with God all
> things are possible." Putting our faith in God will allow the Kingd
> om of heaven into our hearts. We will not be riding high on the cam
> el, but on our knees crawling in forgiveness and penance. Jesus pro
> mises that "those of you who have followed me will also sit on twelv
> e thrones."
>
>
>
> God calls us to put him first. We must put him before everything
> else. Not just before money and wealth, but before life itself. We
> must accept what God calls us to do. It may mean giving up
> significant things including wealth. Jesus told the disciples, "And
> every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or m
> other or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundr
> edfold, and inherit eternal life." We will be rewarded for the sacr
> ifices we make in the name of Jesus. Jesus is telling us that no sa
> crifice will go un rewarded. Whatever we place on the altar of God
> will become a new treasure for us in heaven.
>
>
>
> A Simple Prayer
>
>
>
> Most heavenly Father God,
>
> My time and my talents are yours,
>
> Use them as you will.
>
> You have given me so much,
>
> May I always love you first,
>
> And do your will.
>
>
>
> Yours in Christ
>
> Michael Marcon
>
>
>
>