The Rich Young Man

BEADS OF JOY 08-16-16

“The Rich Young Man”

©2016 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

Today’s Gospel: Matthew 19:23-30 (The Rich Young Man)

“And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Then Peter said in reply, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first.”

Reflection:
I think the real question today, in this gospel is this: Where is your treasure? This is why I see Jesus always speaking so cautiously to everyone about wealth. In my heart I don’t see Jesus, not wanting us to be successful and wealthy. Think about this: We ask God to bless us in business and we ask God to bless us in the success of our careers. The caution I see is the pride and selfishness that often comes with wealth; and that usually means those who have it tend to forget others who need help. When we are blessed we must not forget those who God has placed in our lives who need our help.

Let us take a look at what St. Augustine of Hippo has to say about this in one of his sermons: "Even though you possess plenty, you are still poor. You abound in temporal possessions, but you need things eternal. You listen to the needs of a human beggar, yet you yourself are a beggar of God. What you do with those who beg from you is what God will do with his beggar. You are filled and you are empty. Fill your empty neighbor from your fullness, so that your emptiness may be filled with God's fullness." That is a lot to digest I know, but wow that is to the heart of all those who never answer the call of the needy. We need to be accountable for those in need around us. Especially those of us who can certainly help those in need. God has blessed many; He has answered our prayers. Now is the time to bless them and help answer their prayers.

Where is your treasure? Where is your generosity? This is why in today’s gospel Jesus say’s “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Jesus was referring to the narrow gate into the city of Jerusalem. Locals called it “the eye of the needle” because in order for a camel to get through it, all the possessions it had on it, had to be removed off it, and it had to be brought through it on its knees. The true removal of pride and possession and brought down to one’s knees in humility. Very powerful words by our Lord. I love doing biblical research. See you tomorrow.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus 

And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS