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Gospel: Matthew 19:23-30
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.”
Then Peter said to him in reply,
“We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age,
when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,
will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Samuel Johnson, an 18th century author, once visited a friend’s estate in the English countryside. After seeing all of the ornate rooms, Persian rugs, and priceless paintings on the wall, he said:
“These are the things which make it difficult to die.”
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Jesus never says it’s impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Riches are not a sin.
But Johnson reminds us that riches are a danger, because we can easily become attached to them, valuing earthly things more than heavenly things.
For example, think about how we might feel if we woke up tomorrow morning and our house was downsized; our closet cut in half; our bookshelves emptied; and our car ten years old older.
It’d be shocking! Some of us might be saddened by it. I know I would be. I like my little home and creaturely comforts.
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Meanwhile, there are families who cannot make ends meet; refugees seeking shelter; children who haven’t eaten since yesterday.
Or even the day before.
This doesn’t mean that we have to turn our lives upside down and sell everything we have. But we should do what we can.
As Saint Paul says, “God loves a cheerful giver.”
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In what ways do I share my blessings with others?
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Riches are not a sin. But they are a danger.
Like Samuel Johnson, if we find ourselves feeling a little too attached, then perhaps it’s time to part with some of our riches, sharing them with those in most need.
After all, God loves a cheerful giver.
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Image credits: (1) LinkedIn (2) Architectural Digest (3) SoulFully You, WordPress