Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“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.”

 

Gospel Reading: 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.” 

 

After reading today’s gospel, one would think that being a “rich man” would be a sin.  Jesus tells his disciples: “it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven.”  The reference to being a “rich man” again refers to our alliances and the Kingdom of heaven refers to our soul.   So what do we store in our hearts, the love of money or the love for God.  If we fill our hearts 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 cannot share in the Kingdom of God because there is no room for God in our heart.  We must be willing to invest our time and our talents in the church – the one true Kingdom.  Jesus is not opposed to the wealthy; in fact he had friends who were wealthy.  But he tells us that “it is easier 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 enter 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 small opening.  This was a very difficult task for a camel, but not impossible.  Jesus reassures disciples that “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  Putting our faith in God will allow the Kingdom of heaven to grow in our hearts.  We will not be riding high on the camel, but on our knees crawling in forgiveness and penance. 

 

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 mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.”  We will be rewarded for the sacrifices we make in the name of Jesus.  Jesus is telling us that no sacrifice 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