The Rich and the Kingdom of Heaven

Today's Reflections 


                                                       

The Rich and the Kingdom of Heaven 

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Mt 19:23-30

²³Jesus said to his disciples, “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴Again 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.” ²⁵When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” ²⁶Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” ²⁷Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” ²⁸Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. ³⁰But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Reflection:

What will there be for us? Jesus knows how to reward his faithful followers. He cannot be outdone in generosity. To those who have left all things to follow him, he promises that they will be the leaders of the new Israel. Then he adds (and this is for us), “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.” Wow, what an offer! What is given up for Christ’s sake is not lost but is an investment that will earn rewards already here on earth (a hundred times more!) and will bring eternal life.

Think of it: those who have been most generous in their service of Christ have been the happiest people already in this life, and now enjoy the glory of heaven. These are the saints.

Jesus is the hundredfold already in this life

and in eternal life.