It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God

 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"  So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good?  No one is good but One, that is, God.  You know the commandments:  'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'"  And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."  Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack:  Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."  But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"  And the disciples were astonished at His words.  But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?"  But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."  Then Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You."  So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time -- houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions -- and in the age to come, eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

- Mark 10:17-31

Yesterday we read that Jesus came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan.  And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.  The Pharisees came and asked Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" testing Him.  And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?"  They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her."  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.  But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.'  'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.  Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."  In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter.  So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.  And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."  Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.  But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.  Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."  And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"  So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good?  No one is good but One, that is, God."  My study bible tells us that this man seeks out Jesus not because he tests Him (as do the Pharisees in yesterday's reading above, for example), but because he seeks advice from someone whom he considers no more than a good Teacher.  Christ doesn't deny His own divinity, but rather His answer is designed to lead this man to that knowledge.

"You know the commandments:  'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'"  And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."  The formal observance of commandments does not make one righteous before God.  The man has come this far and recognizes he still lacks something, so he continues to press Christ.  His desire is earnest.

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack:  Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."  But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.   We note that Jesus' word to this sincere man comes because He loved him.  To follow Christ means to let no obstacle remain in the way of such faith.  My study bible says that nothing is gained unless this sacrifice is given freely.   However, the specifics of how one follows Christ will be different for each person.  In this case, the man's wealth had a great grip on him; his hope is to give away his possessions to follow Christ.  My study bible cites St. John Chrysostom, who says that giving away possessions is in fact the least of Christ's instructions here.  To follow Christ in all things is a far greater and more difficult calling.

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"  And the disciples were astonished at His words.  But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?"  But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."   The expression "easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle" has been given many suggested interpretations -- that the word wasn't camel but similar to an Aramaic word for "rope," or that the eye of a needle was referring to a city gate through which a camel might squeeze only if it were unloaded of all its baggage, which symbolizes wealth.  The Talmud contains a similar expression:  "for an elephant to go through the eye of a needle."  Whatever the phrase may refer to, it shows the impossibility of salvation for those attached to riches.  When the disciples ask, "Who then can be saved?" they express the difficulties all understand.  But God's grace makes the surmounting of any obstacle to faith possible, even what is impossible to man.

Then Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You."  So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time -- houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions -- and in the age to come, eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first."  My study bible says here that Christ is not commanding believers to divorce spouses and abandon children.  Again it cites Chrysostom, who says that Christ's words here refer to keeping faith under persecution, even if it means to lose one's family.  It also means to accept that unbelieving family members may cut off ties because of a believer's faith (see 1 Corinthians 7:12-16).  Believers are promised a hundredfold of houses not in an earthly sense.  Rather it is in a spiritual sense; we have fathers and mothers of the Church, brothers and sisters in Christ, and houses of worship and fellowship. 

We may consider from this reading that wealth is indeed an obstacle to faith.  But that's not really the way that Tradition teaches us to interpret Christ's words, nor is it, in fact, consistent with the Gospels.  There are those who are wealthy and also in positions of power or authority who become a part of Christ's story as those who are faithful.   There is the centurion of whom Jesus says, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" (see Luke 7:1-10).  There is Joseph of Arimathea, whom Mark's Gospel will call "a prominent council member" and Luke tells us is a wealthy man.   He is in a high enough position of authority to go before Pilate and request Christ's body, a very dangerous thing to do, and wealthy enough to provide Christ's tomb, which was new and hewn from a rock and therefore quite expensive (see Mark 15:42-47, Matthew 27:57-61).  John's Gospel also teaches us about Nicodemus, who came to Jesus by night to be taught by Him -- in one of our most important teachings on baptism and the Holy Spirit and the rebirth in spirit.  He further stands up for Christ in the council, as he is a Pharisee and a prominent member.  Finally, he also contributes to Christ's burial with Joseph of Arimathea, providing what must have been an extremely costly mixture of myrrh and aloes (and John's Gospel tells us it was in quantity "about a hundred pounds").  See John 3:1-21, 7:50-52, 19:39.  These people from the Gospels give us important examples of wealthy, powerful men in authority who are important members of the faithful, key figures in the life and ministry of Christ.  Let us not also forget Matthew, a tax collector, who no doubt profited from his position, and was wealthy enough to give a large dinner in his home (Mark 2:13-17). The Gospels also give us the story of  Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, who is specifically called by Christ on His way to Jerusalem (Luke 19:1-10).  Each of these men is in position of authority, power, and possesses great wealth.  None of these things are therefore an obstacle to faith.  But they all have in common one thing:  that their faith came first.  Their devotion to Christ initiated in them the willingness to give up anything else if it was necessary to serve that faith.  The centurion seeks out Christ and understands absolute obedience, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus not only use their wealth to serve Christ but also risk their positions and even their lives in service to Him.   Levi becomes Matthew the disciple, and Zacchaeus declares his repentance and the means whereby he lives his repentance.   This is the hard thing, to give up one's trust in riches to faith in Christ.  Through these stories we come to speak of attachment, and to understand that there is no object or thing that is evil in itself:  rather our faith declares that everything we are, everything we have, everything we do is in service to Christ.  We put all things second to this love.  When St. Chrysostom teaches that in fact it is giving up wealth that is the easier command than to follow Christ in all things, he knows the wisdom he teaches.  He also would give everything in his life for his love of Christ, a long journey of faith and service.  Jesus speaks to the disciples of houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, and also of persecution.  And there are countless others who no doubt also fill the same shoes.    Christ shifts our thinking about holiness.  It is not one of simply following commands or rules.    There are not objects or substances that are evil in and of themselves.  Rather, the things we possess, our entire lives, must be put into the service of Christ.  Each of the men who form the examples given above are called to serve Christ, and to help all the rest of us to know the story of Christ, in different ways.  There is no "cookie cutter" faith offered to us here, but rather the simple and profound truth at the heart of the Gospel:  that each of our lives depends on seeking the discernment to understand how we are called, to place our lives in service to Him, and in so doing develop the virtues and discipline God's love will make possible.  There are no obstacles, save those we put before love of Christ.  Faith is open to all.   For with God all things are possible.    To teach anything less than this is to limit God, and God's work in us.

If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. What do you think?  If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. 

“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.  If he hears you, you have gained your brother.  But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’  And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church.  But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.  Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.  Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

- Matthew 18:10-20

Yesterday, we read that after Jesus had warned for the second time that He will be made to suffer and be killed, and raised on the third day,  the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.  Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses!  For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!  If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you.  It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.  And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you.  It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire."

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.“   In yesterday’s reading, Jesus  has already discussed the “little ones” who are those who are humble.  Regarding angels, my study bible notes that “St. John Chrysostom teaches that not only the saints, but all people have guardian angels.  However, the angels of humble people have greater boldness and greater honor before the face of God because of the humility of the person they guard.  It is not the nature of God, but the weakness of men, that requires the angels’ service.”  Regarding those who are humble, today’s Old Testament reading tells us that “the man Moses was very meek, more than all the people who were on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3).   A later verse tells us that, in contrast to other prophets, God spoke with Moses not in visions but  “face to face.”

“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.  What do you think?  If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?  And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.  Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.“  My study bible explains that “unlike earthly shepherds, Christ sees such value in one sheep that He will leave the others at risk to save it.  The ninety-nine sheep represent the righteous who remain faithful to God (Luke 15:7).  According to certain Fathers, this is also an image of the Incarnation in which the ninety-nine represent the angels in heaven; Christ descended from heaven to pursue the one sheep – man – who had fallen into corruption on earth.”

“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.  If he hears you, you have gained your brother.  But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’  And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church.  But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.  Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.  Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”  A note tells us:  “Church discipline is based on mutual correction in three expanding stages.  Sin and correction are to remain private unless the offender refuses to repent.  All correction must be done with great care and humility, with the highest concern being the salvation of the offender (see 1 Corinthians 5:5; Galatians 6:1).  Nevertheless, correction must take place so that the sin does not spread to others as well.”

It’s interesting to note the place of human beings in today’s reading.  My study bible points out that each one of us has a guardian angel.  But it also notes that according to St. John Chrysostom, angels of the humble have greater boldness and honor before God just because of the humility of the person they guard.  In keeping with what Christ teaches here about saving what was lost, St. Chrysostom teaches that it’s the weakness of human beings that requires the angels’ service; therefore their missions reflect their Master’s.  Christ has taught already that it is those who are ill who have need of the physician.   Moreover, not only are we each recipients of the ministry of angels, but in the image of the ninety-nine sheep, certain Fathers of the church see the Incarnation as Christ (the Shepherd) who descends to pursue the one sheep (humankind) that had fallen into corruption and was in danger of perdition (the state of being totally lost).  In this context, the Redeemer comes for the one, and we are that one.  Not only do the angels minister to each one of us, particularly in the case of weakness, but somehow we are worthy of this special place of attention, the Incarnation.  It is in the spirit of this love that we view the instructions given us here for church discipline by Jesus.  This is a serious mission; those who must be saved must be cared for with discipline.  Above all, it is this love and this mission which must always be followed and in operation – and discipline serves that purpose.  No danger should fall to those who are the “little ones” in the care of the disciples.  That would include the need for discipline in the church, rather than a spirit of tolerance for abuse of those who need and seek help.