A reading according to the holy Gospel of Mark 10:17-30
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[a]”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is[b] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.
Reflection : "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
Sometimes Jesus says things that make you stop and ponder. We know a camel can never make it through the eye of a needle so why would what Jesus say be so important to make one stop and think, ponder and leave away sad and with great sorrow.? The eye of the needle is used as a metaphor for a very narrow opening.
How can one refute the impossible ? Why would one leave on hearing this analogy? The young man yearned for the knowledge of God and here was Jesus standing before him, showing him his divine Wisdom. Yet he could not give of himself wholeheartedly to God because he desired his possessions rather than possess Christ. He chose good health, wealth, honor and worldly good over Jesus .
And Jesus looked upon this young man with love and invited him to set aside all his treasures and follow him. "Follow me! Walk in my path! Stand by my side! Remain in my love " (St John Paul II, Homily on Boston Common, October 1, 1979). The young man could not do that and so he knew that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for him to make it to heaven.
Are we ready to give up all attachments, friends, influences, jobs, and family for God? When we lose all for God, our treasure will be found in God. Let us pray that we will find the joy and bliss of loving God .
PRAYER: Dearest Lord, may we one day see you gazing upon us, asking us to give up all for your sake. You know, dear Lord, that our joy and happiness reside in you. Let us not lose the chance, the wonderful opportunity of serving you. Amen
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