THE RICH AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Judges 6:11-24; Psalm 85; Matthew 19:23-30
Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt.19:23). This statement neither defends the poor nor damns the wealthy. Both wealth and poverty are vanity.
Regardless of our financial situation, we are invited to live a modest and humble life. There are some wealthy individuals who are incredibly modest; some conceited poor people, and some poor people who have a negative outlook on riches. Regardless of your financial status, be a good Christian, and you will make heaven.
Therefore, the one accumulates wealth without amassing grace will find it difficult to enter heaven. Andrew Murray says; “Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.” If we are humble and simple, like Gideon in the first reading, God will transform us. We need wealth to live comfortably in this life; but over and above that, we need Christ to live comfortably forever.
Today the Church celebrates the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Rev. 12:1-2). Mary’s Queenship is implied in the dogmatic definition of her Assumption into heaven body and soul and exalted by the Lord as Queen of the universe that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and the conqueror of sin and death.” (Lumen Gentium, 59).
LET US PRAY
Lord Jesus, when you walked the earth, your humility and simplicity obscured your Kingship. Your meekness confused the arrogant, hindering them from grasping your purpose. Teach us to model after your eminence, to subject our human nature to humility and simplicity. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
