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August 16, 2022"The Camel and the Needle"
Today’s gospel (Mt 19:23-30) once again (see the gospels of 5/25/21: Mk 10:28-31) follows on the encounter between Jesus and the rich young man. Jesus says to his disciples that it will be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God. This is only one of a number of verses in this passage that are more than a little problematic if taken completely literally.
And besides, how many of us actually do consider ourselves “rich”?? No doubt very few, if any, of us. So clearly this passage has little or (hopefully) literally nothing to do with me. Right?
But as is the case with so very many of the gospel passages, we can very easily lose sight of the meaning behind the literal meaning of the words of the verses.
Regardless of how much or how little wealth we have, Jesus is asking each of His followers to examine their attitudes (St. Ignatius would call them our attachments) to however much or little wealth we, in fact, do have. And more to the point, how much importance, time, and energy do we have to give to the Kingdom of God as opposed to our possessions and attachments of whatever kind? What in fact is the balance? Which side does the “scale” tip toward?
Do I spend as much time and attention on how I can further God’s
Kingdom and its values in my daily life and world as I do on satisfying my wants?
How much is enough? Especially in the context of the real needs of my neighbors as God understands that word.
How much and how often do I distinguish between my wants and my needs? My wants often exceed my legitimate needs. Which of the two dominates my thinking AND spending habits?
And if we’re being perfectly honest with ourselves and with God, how often do we even ask ourselves these and similar questions?
The heart of Jesus’ own life was characterized by the Greek word
“kenosis”. A total ‘self emptying’, a ‘pouring out’ of oneself for the sake of His Father’s Kingdom in the here and now.
“This is my body which will be given up for you… This is my blood which will be poured out for you….”
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Mt:6:21
Perhaps Jesus is asking each of us today what and where our ‘treasure’ truly is.
