MATTHEW 19: 23-30 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (AUGUST 18, 2020)
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 the 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 at them and answered, “For human beings 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, then, will there be for us?”
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, also will sit, on twelve thrones, to judge 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.
POINTS OF REFLECTION
The Bible reading of today clarifies where a heart should belong, for most likely one’s heart belongs to where one’s possessions belong.
Jesus warned us by saying “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 the needle than for the one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.” Why this? It is because in most cases one’s possession enslaved their hearts and it is perceived to be earthly rather than being heavenly. There is a need for all of us to be extra careful of keeping our possessions which this bible passage strongly suggests not on this life on earth but in life in heaven with the father. When Jesus ordered the young and wealthy man to sell all he have and give it to the poor to become perfect in the eyes of God having claimed to obey God’s commandments (MATTHEW 19: 16-22), He mean that those who are less around could be the conduit of earthly possessions into heavenly possessions.
What Jesus had ordered to the young man (which could be any of us) might be very hard but if he will surrender everything in his heart to the Father it would easier for him to give up earthly possession in exchange for the heavenly one. All this would be the same to all of us who desire God.
Brother and sister, God is worth more than anything of this life. Get ready to lose earthly nature and gain all the magnificence in heaven.
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Doctor in Development Education ( Dev. Ed. D.), an all time educator as School Head and HEI Instructor.
