It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

A camel would have to knell and crawl through it.

That's why it is so difficult for them to enter the kingdom with the required humility of faith in Jesus.

 

 

 

St. Stephen of Hungary

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊   

Ezekiel 28:1-10

The word of Yahweh

Came to me in these terms,  “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre: You are very proud and self-satisfied: ‘I am a god, I sit like a god in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are man and not a god; would you hold yourself as wise as God?  You consider yourself wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you.

Your wisdom and know-how have earned you a fortune, gold and silver flowed to your treasury.  Clever in trade, you became wealthy and as your fortune increased,

your heart became prouder.

 But now Yahweh has spoken to you, to the one who is like God:  I am bringing foreigners against you, the most feared of all the nations. Their sword will challenge your wisdom and debase your refined culture.

They will bring you down to the pit and you will die in the depths of the sea. Will you be able to say ‘I am a god’ when your murderers are killing you? You are a man and not a god.  You will die the death of the un­circumcised and perish at the hands of aliens, for I have spoken – word of Yahweh.”

 

Dt 32:26-27ab, 27cd-28, 30, 35cd-36ab

It is I who deal death and give lofe.

 

  ＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Matthew 19:23-30

 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I say to you: it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Yes, believe me: it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.”

 On hearing this the disciples were astonished and said, “Who, then, can be saved?” Jesus looked steadily at them and answered, “For humans it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”

 Then Peter spoke up and said, “You see we have given up everything to follow you: what will be our lot?”

 Jesus answered, “You who have followed me, listen to my words: on the Day of Renew­al, when the Son of Man sits on his throne in glory, you, too, will sit on twelve thrones to rule the twelve tribes of Israel. 

As for those who have left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or property for my Name’s sake, they will receive a hundredfold and be given eternal life. Many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first.

 

 Gospel Reflection：

Following with a Hook

“What then, will there be for us?” Peter personifies typical human mindset. We are inclined to invest only in those ventures that bring some significant return, even in spiritual realm.

How many people seek after God only to use him as an ATM in manifold ways! Of course, God provides for our physical, psychological, and spiritual needs. Thus, Jesus answered Peter’s question understandingly and positively and did promise them great returns.

However, no sooner had Jesus promised them judges’ seats with him in the Kingdom, than the sons of thunder got their mother to ask Jesus for privileged seating in the Kingdom ( cf. Mt 20:20-21)! Yet, as their following of Jesus got closer and more intimate, they changed.

Their self-interests fell away and they would even lose their lives for him. Like Paul, they would come to count everything as loss and rubbish just for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ and be with him (cf. Phil 3:8-9).