From the responsorial psalm: “’Our own hand won the victory; the LORD had nothing to do with it.’ For they are a people devoid of reason, having no understanding. It is I who deal death and give life.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 19:16-22)
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.”
Matthew describes the astonishment of the disciples as Jesus emphasizes the impossibility of entering the kingdom of God. Their question, “Who then can be saved?” encompasses people of their time but also all people since the time of Christ. In response to Jesus, Peter says, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” In giving up the wealth that the world offers and seeking it, the Twelve receive a particular reward—twelve thrones in heaven when Jesus is seated on his throne of glory. Jesus takes this further. Everyone who has given up the attachments of this world for the sake of his name will “receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.” To make explicit his teaching, Jesus says a final word: “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
God, help me understand the Gospel as Jesus taught the apostles. “It will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. . . . For men this is impossible.” Attachment to money is not the only thing the apostles gave up; they also gave up their livelihood, time at home with family, their possessions, physical comfort, and more. These things not only occlude access to you but are building blocks of great delusions. As you say through the prophet Ezekiel in the first reading: “And yet you are a man, and not a god, however you may think yourself like a god.” For you, Lord, all things are possible. Give me the grace to see the actual value of the things of this world, and guide me today on the way to reach your kingdom. Saint Bernard, pray for us!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.