August 16, 2016
“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.” (Matthew 19:23-30)
The Gospel passage goes on to say that the disciples were “greatly astonished” when they heard Jesus speak these words. The astonishment came because Jesus’ words appeared to be in direct contradiction to the popular notion of the time that wealth equaled divine favor.
Even today, many read this Gospel passage and are confused. Is money bad? Are we supposed to feel guilty if we have wealth? Will I have more difficulty attaining eternal life because of my financial status while on this earth?
The Gospel is not telling us that possessions and money are evil. It is telling us that our commitment needs to be to our faith. We cannot allow money or material things to define who we are as human beings. It is telling us to stay focused on loving God, loving others, and making disciples of all men — that will give us all the riches we’ll ever need.
From the Deacon's Desk 