Saint Benard of Clairvaux, Abbot
The Rich and the Kingdom
Today’s gospel is the continuation of the message of yesterday and continues to shed light on the inadequacy of riches in making us to inherite the kingdom of God. The word of God describes how hard it is for rich people to enter the kingdom of heaven. This is not a denigration of material wealth. We must know that material wealth is a gift from God. In fact, the Bible also sometimes describes salvation in terms of material wealth. But Jesus uses imagery from his time to show the incompatibility of the entrance to the Kingdom of Heaven with one whose heart is full of earthly treasures.
The “eye of a needle” was a large hole within the city wall that permitted people to enter after the gates were shut. They were made so that a person could enter and find protection, but they were not big enough for animals such as horses, mules, or camels. Just as the eye of the needle is made for a person to slip through, the Kingdom of Heaven is for those whose hearts are free from the enslavement of worldly things. That does not mean that one who owns earthly treasures cannot enter Heaven; rather, earthly treasures can be an obstacle for one whose interior motive in the use of them is personal gain, usurping serving others, and giving glory to God in the use of created things. Jesus' warning reiterated the wisdom of the Old Testament: "Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his ways" (Proverbs 28:6; see also Psalm 37:16). "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist" (Proverbs 23:4).
In referencing this story, Saint Anselm states that “the rich should not be able to pass along the narrow way that leads to life, till he had put off the burden of sin, and of riches, that is, by ceasing to love them” (Catena Aurea). So, is it possible for a camel to enter through the “eye of the needle” and, therefore, a rich man to enter into Heaven? Yes. But only under the condition of being on their knees, humbling themselves, and ridding themselves of the “baggage” of their riches.
Who is the rich and the poor? Jesus' warning is literal in a sense that having material wealth can lead to attachments that may distract us from loving God and loving our neighbor and at last lose eternal life. Prudence and temperance are virtues that can help us to live in comfortable circumstances without becoming trapped by them. But to a more spiritual way, we might be wealthy and obsessed with staying that way, or poor and inordinately desirous of being wealthy. Either way, our soul is seeking not God but mammon (Matthew 6:24). To enter through the needle’s eye, our spiritual disposition should be like that of Saint Paul: “I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things, I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me” (Philippians 4:12-13).
It is therefore possible to have many possessions and not be attached to them at all. This is the beauty of poverty of spirit. But be careful not to presume that you have perfected this beatitude too quickly. Jesus’ statement above was said out of love for those who are overly attached to the things of this world. So, if this is you, be merciful to yourself and pay close attention to Jesus’ words and your own interior struggle with this.
Reflect today on what Christ said. 'How difficult it will be for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.' He was not criticising money itself but the wills of those who are taken captive by it. If it will be difficult for the rich, how much more so for the avaricious! For if stinginess with one's own wealth is an impediment to gaining the kingdom, think how much fire is amassed for taking someone else's. Are you stingy with your wealth and take it as your own God? How have you gained your wealth? Through taking what belongs to others? How do you use yours? For stepping on top of others and their rights? Reflect deep on today's readings.
Let us Pray.
Lord Jesus, you have captured our hearts and opened to us the treasures of heaven. May you always be my treasure and delight and may nothing else keep me from giving you my all. Amen
Be blessed.
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