The Rich Man

Today's Reflections  

         

 

The Rich Man 

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Mk 10:17-27

¹⁷As [Jesus] was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. ¹⁹You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’ ” ²⁰He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” ²¹Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” ²²At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

²³Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵It 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.” ²⁶They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”

Reflection:

How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus here warns us, after his sad experience with the man who refused his invitation to sell all he possessed and give to the poor and then come back and follow him, that riches can serve as a hindrance for entering the kingdom of God. He says that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter God’s kingdom.

St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, in his principle and foundation reminds us to use things insofar as they help us glorify God, and to draw away from them when they draw us away from God. An excellent rule to follow when it comes to wealth!

When you see a wealthy person,

do you call the person maswerte (lucky, fortunate)?