Gospel 

Matthew 19:23-30

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich

to enter the Kingdom of heaven.

Again 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.”

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,

“Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said,

“For men this is impossible,

but for God all things are possible.”

Then Peter said to him in reply,

“We have given up everything and followed you.

What will there be for us?”

Jesus 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.

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.

But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Reflection

Jesus again makes a statement that confuses the disciples. At the time Jesus ministered to these men, it was considered that riches were a sign of the love that God had for someone. And Jesus turns it completely around by saying, the first will be last, and the last should be first. He said, think of it entirely differently. And what I want you to understand is that I am the only way in which you can be saved.

I am telling you, that it’s a gift, not something you earn. It's difficult for us to believe that, but that's the call of the gospel.

Closing Prayer

Father, we think a lot the way the world thinks. But you continue to ask us to turn things around. To see them from the eyes of the kingdom of God that were called to establish on this planet. So bless us with the insights that only you can share with us. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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