In today’s Gospel Jesus warns us about becoming too complacent and comfortable in our faith. He warns that “some who are last will be first and some who are first will be last”. Note that he does not say that all who are last will be first nor will all who are first be last.
Jesus exclaims that the “gate to the Kingdom of Heaven is narrow” …he compares the size of the gate of heaven to “the eye of the needle”.
Jesus says that it will be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter heaven. So, what chance do I have of passing through this gate?
In reality, as I have shared before, “the eye of the needle” refers to a small door built into the huge gates to the entrance of the walled city of Old Jerusalem.
The truth is that a person could easily pass through the “eye of the needle,” but a camel could only pass through it if all of the supplies it was carrying were first “off-loaded”. It would be difficult, but the camel, stooping low, with saddle and supplies removed, could enter through the “eye of the needle” and into the walled city.
I believe the point being made is that we need to “off-load” our “stuff” and be willing to set down “things” that keep us from being about the work of building up the Reign of God.
The other image in today’s Gospel is also inspiring: the image of the rich young man who lived a righteous life and had kept the law and all the commandments but when Jesus asked him to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor, it was just too much for the young man. He walked away from Jesus sad, seemingly because he was too attached to his many possessions.
The fact is that sometimes our possessions -- the “things” we own -- can own us. They can take up much of our time and we can become overly preoccupied with caring for them and using them and obtaining more of them and storing them. They can take our attention away from other things that we should focus on, like our relationship with Jesus and living out our discipleship by being at the service of others, especially the poor and marginalized.
And so, in light of today’s Gospel, we might ask…what things do I need to “off-load” in my life in order to pay more attention to my discipleship, and to building up the Reign of God by tending to the needs of my sisters and brothers in need my help?
Blessings,
Fr. Tim
Jesus exclaims that the “gate to the Kingdom of Heaven is narrow” …he compares the size of the gate of heaven to “the eye of the needle”.
Jesus says that it will be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter heaven. So, what chance do I have of passing through this gate?
In reality, as I have shared before, “the eye of the needle” refers to a small door built into the huge gates to the entrance of the walled city of Old Jerusalem.
The truth is that a person could easily pass through the “eye of the needle,” but a camel could only pass through it if all of the supplies it was carrying were first “off-loaded”. It would be difficult, but the camel, stooping low, with saddle and supplies removed, could enter through the “eye of the needle” and into the walled city.
I believe the point being made is that we need to “off-load” our “stuff” and be willing to set down “things” that keep us from being about the work of building up the Reign of God.
The other image in today’s Gospel is also inspiring: the image of the rich young man who lived a righteous life and had kept the law and all the commandments but when Jesus asked him to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor, it was just too much for the young man. He walked away from Jesus sad, seemingly because he was too attached to his many possessions.
The fact is that sometimes our possessions -- the “things” we own -- can own us. They can take up much of our time and we can become overly preoccupied with caring for them and using them and obtaining more of them and storing them. They can take our attention away from other things that we should focus on, like our relationship with Jesus and living out our discipleship by being at the service of others, especially the poor and marginalized.
And so, in light of today’s Gospel, we might ask…what things do I need to “off-load” in my life in order to pay more attention to my discipleship, and to building up the Reign of God by tending to the needs of my sisters and brothers in need my help?
Blessings,
Fr. Tim
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