With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible

 

 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  And again I say to you, 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."  When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"  But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You.  Therefore what shall we have?"  So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

 

- Matthew 19:23-30 

 

Yesterday we read that little children were brought to Jesus that He might put His hands on the and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.  But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."  And He laid His hands on the and departed from there.  Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"  So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good?  No one is good but One, that is, God.  But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."  He said to Him, "Which ones?"  Jesus said, "'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"  The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth.  What do I still lack?"  Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

 

  Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  And again I say to you, 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."  When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"  But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  My study Bible notes that there have been various interpretations offered for the impossible image of a camel going through the eye of a needle.  Perhaps, for example, the word was not "camel," but rather "rope" (a word that sounds alike in Aramaic).  Another has been suggested that the "eye of a needle" was the name of a city gate through which a camel might barely squeeze if it were first unloaded of all its baggage, which symbolizes wealth.  Even the Talmud has an expression, "for an elephant to go through the eye of a needle."  But whatever this phrase refers to, it shows the impossibility of salvation for those attached to riches.  The astonished disciples ask, "Who then can be saved?" reflecting this understanding.  But by God's grace, even the things that are impossible to human beings can come to be.

Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You.  Therefore what shall we have?"  So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."   On a similar passage in Luke's Gospel (Luke 22:30), my study Bible cites the commentary of St. Ambrose of Milan:  "Christ judges by discerning the heart, and not by examining deeds.  So also the apostles are being shaped to exercise spiritual judgment concerning faith, and in rebuking error with virtue."  It notes that the apostles will judge not with earthly judgment, but rather by the witness of their own lives.  Since God's kingdom begins with the Resurrection of Christ, my study Bible notes, the authority of judgment has already been given to the apostles and their successors in the journey of the Church on earth (Matthew 16:19; John 20:23).  

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first."  Here my study Bible notes that Christ is not commanding believers to divorce spouses and abandoning children.  It notes the commentary of St. John Chrysostom here, in which St. Chrysostom comments that this refers 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 the believer's faith (see 1 Corinthians 7:12-16).  Additionally, believers are promised a hundredfold of houses and relatives not in an earthly sense, but rather in a spiritual sense; that is, the fathers and mothers of the Church, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and houses of worship and fellowship.  

St. Ambrose's statement regarding judgment is an important one to take a closer look at.  It's quite simple and short, but it teaches us something very profound.  He comments, "Christ judges by discerning the heart, and not by examining deeds.  So also the apostles are being shaped to exercise spiritual judgment concerning faith, and in rebuking error with virtue."  There are two elements of this kind of judgment here; that is, the type of judgment which the disciples are being groomed to understand and to use.  This is the kind of judgment that can only come through participation in the life of Christ, and with the help of the Holy Spirit.  My study Bible elaborates that the apostles will judge not with earthly judgment, but rather by the witness of their own lives.  So let us take this together with St. Ambrose's comment, as quoted by my study Bible.  The first part of St. Ambrose's comment speaks of learning discernment, spiritual judgment concerning faith.  This truly depends upon what is often referred to as spiritual experience, for which the Orthodox Church venerates what are called spiritual elders.  That is, those with spiritual maturity gained through deep experience in the struggle for faith.  As my study Bible notes, this is not "earthly judgment" but spiritual judgment.  It is not judging according to appearances and all that is contained in appearance, but by the hard-learned lessons of spirit and soul, in the heart of faith.  St. Ambrose then mentions rebuking error with virtue, and this also is rooted in spiritual struggle, the spiritual struggle also known as "unseen warfare."  To rebuke error with virtue involves an awareness that the true judgment is not our own, but rather God's judgment.  And so, keeping that in mind, to live through virtue, through the works that are the fruit of the Spirit, the product of the spiritual life, is in itself to appeal to that judgment.  The witness to God's interior work within us will be those fruits of virtue that in themselves act as a kind of judgment, a witness against all that stands against the kingdom of heaven.  In the lives of the saints, we see this played out.  A martyr is a witness (quite literally, for this word μάρτυς/martyr means "witness" in the Greek of the New Testament), simply through the exercise of faith even to the point of death.  Such an act of supreme virtue is itself testimony against those (which may include the spiritual forces of evil) who hate the truth of Christ, and oppose the exercise of faith.  To rebuke error with virtue is in itself the judgment of the saints, the witness of their lives, as my study Bible puts it.  And so we should seek to do likewise.  For through this struggle for faith, even the capacity to sacrifice in order to more fully live our faith and this life of virtue suggested here, we root the kingdom of heaven more truly in this world.  It does not take an act of earthly warfare or earthly judgment to wage spiritual struggle, the "unseen warfare" of spiritual battle.  It takes living virtue, for in so doing, error is rebuked through the true judgment that lives in Christ and which is always present spiritually for all of us, whether we realize it or not.  In order to truly take this in, one must accept that there is the spiritual dimension to life, the Holy Spirit who is "everywhere present" according to an Orthodox prayer.  When we witness by living virtue, by following our faith even to the point of sacrifice (small or great), we witness to the Judge who is always with us, who told us in a recent reading, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."  Therefore, to practice virtue, to work the works of God by living our faith and through prayerful lives, we witness and thereby bring judgment into the world.  In living our faith, we gain spiritual experience and therefore discernment, and we build God's kingdom in this world.  So let us pause and imagine what a great responsibility this is, and how much God shares with us by allowing us to participate in Christ's life through living our faith, to participate in the life of the Kingdom.  For, as indicated in yesterday's reading (see above), Christ asks us for "treasures in heaven."  In this way, we build His kingdom in our world.  This understanding of how judgment works illuminates another aspect of Jesus' statement, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." 

 

 

Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life

 

 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called them to Him and said, "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."

Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to 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,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'"  And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth."  So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing.  Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."  But when he hard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.

And when Jesus saw that he become very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!  For 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 those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?"  But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."  Then Peter said, "See, we have left all and followed You."  So He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life." 

 

- Luke 18:15–30 

 

On Saturday, we read that Jesus spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:  Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men -- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'  And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 

 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called them to Him and said, "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."  My study bible tells us that infants are the standard of faith by which adults receive the kingdom of God, and not the other way around.  Quoting from the commentary of Theophan, it notes:  "A little child is not arrogant, he does not despise anyone, he is innocent and guileless.  He does not inflate himself in the presence of important people, nor withdraw from those in sorrows.  Instead, he lives in complete simplicity." 

Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to 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,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'"  And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth."  So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing.  Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."  But when he hard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.  Let us note that by saying, "No one is good but One, that is, God" Jesus begins by turning this rich ruler's attention away from things that are immediately before him, and to the focus that is necessary to put all things in proper perspective and by which everything is measured and assigned meaning:  God.  My study bible says that this answer is designed to lead this man, who thinks that Jesus is simply a good Teacher, to the knowledge that He is divine.  This young ruler is spotless in terms of the commandments, as Jesus elucidates through His questions.  My study bible comments that formal observance of commandments doesn't make one righteous before God.  This ruler has an earnest desire for eternal life, yet senses that he still lacks something.  Hence, his desire to seek out Jesus.  The one thing he lacks is the willingness to sacrifice all in the desire to follow Christ, which must be a sacrifice that is freely made.  The specifics of how each one answers this call to follow Christ will be different for each person, my study bible notes.  In this case, this rich ruler was very deeply in the grip of his wealth -- and so his only hope was to sell and distribute all he had to the poor.  St.  John Chrysostom comments here that to give away possessions is the last of Christ's instructions in this story.  To follow Him in all things is a far greater and more difficult calling.

And when Jesus saw that he become very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!  For 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 those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?"  But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."  Then Peter said, "See, we have left all and followed You."  So He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life."   

And when Jesus saw that he become very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!  For 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 those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?"  He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."  There have been varied interpretations given for this saying by Christ, regarding the camel going through the eye of a needle.  Some suggest that the word "camel" is akin to the word for "rope" in Aramaic, and so a possible metaphor is made by the suggestion of threading a rope through the eye of a needle, if it's broken down into its threads.   Some say that the "eye of a needle" was the name for a city gate, which a camel could barely squeeze through if it were first unloaded of all its baggage, a symbol for wealth or possessions.  In the Talmud there is the expression "for an elephant to go through the eye of a needle."  At any rate, concludes my study bible, whatever the phrase is reference to, it displays the impossibility of salvation for those who are attached to riches.  This is made obvious by the response of the disciples, "Who then can be saved?"   But by God's grace, even that which is impossible to human beings can come to pass.  

Then Peter said, "See, we have left all and followed You."  So He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life."  My study bible notes that Jesus isn't commanding His followers to divorce their spouses or abandon children.  Once again, if we turn to the commentary of St. John Chrysostom, he says that this refers to keeping faith under persecution, even when it means to lose one's family.  It also means to accept that unbelieving family members may cut off ties with a believer because of the believer's faith (see 1 Corinthians 7:12-16).  Believers are promised a hundredfold of houses and relatives not in an earthly sense, but rather in a spiritual one.  We find fathers and mothers of the Church who've come before us and passed on their wisdom, prayers, and "treasures" as our inheritance, brothers and sisters in Christ, and houses of worship and fellowship.

Losing one's family is a terrible thing to ponder.  But if we think about it, the earliest apostles and disciples either gave up or devoted all that they were, and all that they had in their lives, to the purpose of following Christ.  Peter, apparently, had a family home and even an extended family.  But all of it was put to use in serving Christ and this earliest movement of the Church.  In this passage, we find that Peter had a mother-in-law who lived with him in the family home, and who was privileged also to serve Christ.  This family home, which it is quite possible was also shared with Peter's brother Andrew, the first-called apostle, became a sort of headquarters for Jesus' Galilean ministry, and thus we may conclude that it is yet one more possession which went into the service of Christ's Church.  Elsewhere, contrary to this example where family and possessions become a part of the ministry of the Church, Christ warns that divisions will come over Himself and His gospel, that "father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law" (see the passage at Luke 12:49-53).  But outside of both of these striking pictures of family and home either serving ministry, or separated from oneself because one chooses to follow Christ, there are more diverse and subtle ways in which today's reading comes into play in our lives.  Most frequently, we will find that the journey of faith in Christ becomes a lifelong work of restructuring life and our ways of thinking, discarding old ways of thinking and being for the ways in which our prayer lives come to shape us, and give us new choices to make.  Many times this will mean leaving old acquaintances behind, as we no longer share the interests that bound us once before, or conflict becomes inevitable.  That may be over things as stark as habits like drinking or partying of a different kind.  It might be separation because one no longer feels that the habit of gossip is worthwhile.  Things that once bound us no longer will.  Other ways of division are more subtle:  abuse or bullying within a family is no longer as tolerable as it once was.  One may not desire to gloss over longstanding destructive habits, preferring instead to speak up where change and healing is necessary so as to stop the deterioration of loving relationships.  Once may choose to sever them if there is no hope of anything but destructive behavior.  These things can take on a guise of modern types of conflict due to psychological growth, or a need for independence -- but I have found for myself that they also come in the form of spiritual maturity, a need to follow where Christ leads and to make the difficult choices to put other things secondary to following Him.  Christ, as indicated in the passage with the rich ruler, will lead us to shift our entire outlook on our possessions, the need to put them at the disposal of where our spiritual life takes us.  Indeed, we simply might not feel comfortable unless the goals for our lives reinforce the spiritual message of the gospel, and lead us in the direction of shoring up and practicing our faith, cementing our commitment -- and releasing habits and practices, and even old ties that bind, when they stand in the way of a deepening growth of spiritual life in Christ.  Let us consider, when we think about these things, that Christ most of all leads us toward the righteousness of love.  That is, we may need to separate from others for our own, and even their own, good.  If we are serving Christ, then our deepening need for His kind of love may in fact be what is leading the way to a desire for more fruitful and loving relationships, and not settling for what is unrighteous and harmful.  In any case, a practice of forgiveness accompanies where He leads us, whether or not others understand it.  The deep need for peace in Christ is also accomplished through prayers for enemies and those who hurt us; all of this teaching is a part of the whole, and so the things we give up come in that context of Christ's love, in understanding the "manner of spirit we are of" (Luke 9:55).  Sometimes, it is painful to leave relationships behind, as we don't have control over the abusive behavior of our loved ones.  But it all comes in the context of Christ adding unto us.  Without the spiritual joy and depth of richness we inherit, none of this would be happening, nor would it seem possible.  Let us consider His words and teachings, and the love in which they are couched, the love through which they are taught.

Who then can be saved?

 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  And again I say to you, 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."  When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"  But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You.  Therefore what shall we have?"  So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children and lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

- Matthew 19:23-30

Yesterday we read that little children were brought to Jesus that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.  But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."  And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.  Now behold, one came  and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"  So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good?  No one is good but One, that is, God.  But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."  He said to Him, "Which ones?"  Jesus said, " ' You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' "  The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth.  What do I still lack?"  Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  And again I say to you, 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."  When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"  But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."   There have been various attempts at interpretation of this vivid saying of Christ of a camel going through the eye of a needle.  My study bible names a couple of them:  that the word for camel in Aramaic resembles the word for "rope" or possibly that the eye of a needle was a city gate through which a camel could possibly squeeze if it first were relieved of all of its baggage (which would symbolize possessions).  There is a saying in the Talmud:  "for an elephant to go through the eye of a needle."  But whatever the origin, the phrase gives us an understanding of what is preposterous, impossible.  Salvation is impossible for those attached to riches, my study bible says.  This is clearly shown by the disciples' response, "Who then can be saved?"  But through the grace of God, even what is impossible for human beings alone becomes possible.

Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You.  Therefore what shall we have?"  So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."  Of judgment, my study bible quotes St. Ambrose of Milan, who comments, "Christ judges by discerning the heart, and not by examining deeds.  So also the apostles are being shaped to exercise spiritual judgment concerning faith, and in rebuking error with virtue."  The apostles will judge not with earthly judgment, my study bible says, but rather with the witness of their own lives.  God's kingdom begins with Christ's Resurrection, and therefore the authority of judgment has already been given to the apostles and their successors in the journey of the Church on earth (16:19, John 20:23).

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children and lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit 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.  St. John Chrysostom says that this passage refers 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 the believer's faith (see 1 Corinthians 7:12-16).  My study bible comments that believers are promised a hundredfold of houses and relatives not in a worldly sense, but rather in a spiritual sense:  the fathers and mothers of the Church, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and houses of worship and fellowship. 

What does it mean to sacrifice everything for Christ?  This is something we have to contemplate and think about.  I know what it is to need to cut off relationships with family because of religious faith, but that comes from a deep conviction of loyalty to God, an earnest desire for prayer and for peace with one another, and an impossible choice that simply has to be made.  It also comes from a place of forgiveness:  one has to be willing to include all of Christ's teachings in the choices that we make, not just one or two.  What we are to understand in life is that to "follow Him" requires of us a great huge life in which we participate, not a partial one.  This is not about following one commandment or another; it is about a full participation in an expanding understanding of a way of life that is whole and fulfilling, not partial and not abstract and not theoretical.  It is not about forming opinions and values with which we go about judging one another.  In fact, this is a good time to remind ourselves of what judgment is and means according to my study bible (as noted above):  the apostles will judge not with earthly judgment, but rather with the witness of their own lives.  They will learn to live the life Christ initiates them into on a deeper and gradual basis of immersion, so to speak, to be like Him, and they will rebuke error with virtue.  The kind of freedom that is claimed in this level of a life lived in Christ is total, and it grows over time.  If we are truly to follow Jesus, we do so with a growing commitment, and a gradual growth of what we are willing to sacrifice in order to be truly free to follow Him.  Hence, the image of the impossibility of the camel going through the eye of the needle:  what will be asked of us might be things we thought unthinkable to give up, but necessary for our own movement forward into God's life and love.  It is necessary to begin to think about what we have and where we go in prayer, for prayer has to be the guide for all of us in life, plus guidance in the context of the Church.  Historically the Church frowns upon extremes.  At the time period of the early Church there were philosophers and gnostics and all kinds of sects that practiced extreme forms of purification, with highly black-and-white theories of the pure and the tainted, or the good and evil of what was inside of us.  But Jesus gives us a different example of how we need to understand ourselves.  We may have a choice in this world between forces of evil such as produced the fall and sin, but it is Jesus who stands out like a beacon, having gone through this world as a human being, and showing us the way.  There is just the choice to follow Him, to understand that we ourselves have so much to learn, and that He does not require us to be "perfect" except in one sense only:  that we be willing to give up whatever it is that stands in the way of following Him.  If we are called to separate from those who would harm us or our spiritual lives in order to follow Christ more perfectly, then the time has come to step up and do it.  If we must let go of our "once in a while" habit that we know separates us from God and is destructive to our prayer life, then when that time comes, let us step up to the place.  If we need to commit our time more fully to prayer, let us heed the call and give up that time to Christ.  These are the ways in which Christ asks us to sacrifice in order to follow Him.  Moreover, if we have a hard time doing this by ourselves, we know that we are not alone in this -- nor is it expected that we ever do it all "just by ourselves."  What is impossible for human beings becomes possible with God -- for with God, all things become possible.   The many possessions of the wealthy man are all things that can come between his loyalty to Christ and his need to take care of those possessions:  one by one each must be placed in God's hands for discernment and judgment about how to live in this world and heed where God asks us to go.  And let us not forget that everything -- every blessing and gift, and all things -- come from God in the first place.  It really doesn't matter what we are talking about; it is all a journey of placing our lives and ourselves more deeply in the hands of God.  But, as He said, His yoke is easy and His burden is light (11:30) -- and He replaces what we feel we lose by the hundredfold.  It is all a matter of placing ourselves in His hands and trusting, to commit our lives to follow Him.

With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible

 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 left Capernaum and 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 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  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.  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."  This rich young man comes to Christ to seek advice, as if from a good Teacher.  He comes running to Christ, suggesting how deeply he wants this advice.  He kneels before Jesus in respect, but understands Him only as a teacher, not as the Christ.  However, he is sincere, unlike the Pharisees in yesterday's reading (above) who come simply to test Jesus.  We can assume that he comes from a landowning family, perhaps one of the aristocratic class of Jerusalem who formed part of the Council.  My study bible says here that Christ's response to him does not deny that He is God, but is designed to lead the rich man to this knowledge.  The commandments given to Moses he has kept all of his life -- but what is made clear by this passage is that formal observance does not make one righteous before God.  My study bible comments that this man had an earnest desire for eternal life, and sensed that he still lacked something.  Therefore he continues to press Jesus for the answer.

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.  Let us note that Mark tells us Jesus loved him.  It gives us a clue as to the man's sincerity in seeking out Christ.  My study bible comments that to be perfect, one must willingly sacrifice all and follow Christ, and that this sacrifice must be made freely.  It's important also that it notes that whatever is specifically asked of each one will be different for each.   Wealth had a great grip on this rich man; my study bible suggests that his only hope was to sell and give away all his possessions.  St. Chrysostom writes that giving away possessions is the least of Christ's instructions here.  To follow Him 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?"   Note that the disciples are astonished at Jesus' words.  But Jesus emphasizes the point with a vivid metaphor.  My study bible notes the varied interpretations suggested regarding this image of a camel going through the eye of a needle.  Some have stated that the word for camel in Aramaic resembles one meaning "rope" -- and so the analogy with the eye of a needle is closer if one thinks of unraveling the threads that comprise the rope.  Others have stated that the eye of a needle was a city gate, which a camel could barely squeeze through if it were unloaded of all of its baggage.  In the Talmud, my study bible notes, there is a similar expression, "for an elephant to go through the eye of a needle."  But however we read this passage, Jesus is clearly conveying the difficulties, even impossibility, for any of us attached to riches.  Considering the wealth and availability of goods pursued in many of our societies today, this remains a strong teaching for all of us.  Again, we note the repeated astonishment of the disciples, asking, Who then can be saved?  The difficulty has always been with us, and emphatically remains so.

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."   Here is another emphatic promise from Christ:  with God all things are possible.  Through God's grace, what is impossible to human beings can come to pass.   The apostles "come to themselves" with Peter speaking for them:   See, we have left all and followed You.  Jesus gives another promise, one of an exchange, receiving a hundredfold in exchange, plus persecutions, and eternal life.  But yet again, He emphasizes the central importance of humility, repeating a teaching from Monday's reading, in which Jesus said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all" (Mark 9:35).

What is interesting about today's passage is that we tend to view it as a scathing indictment about possessions and the wealthy, but in effect, this is not quite what is presented to us.  The text tells us that Jesus loved this rich young man, and the advice to give away what he owned was loving advice -- it was the one thing he lacked.  The emphasis here is on detachment from anything that gets in the way of faith.  That is, there is one thing necessary (Luke 10:42), that comes first (Matthew 22:37).  Today's teaching is quite similar to the earlier ones from the week, in which Jesus gave the apostles images of self-mutilation, suggesting that it is better to enter life maimed and without a hand or foot or eye, rather than harming one of the littlest ones who will be in their charge.  That also was an admonition to detachment, of the strongest kind, using the images of body parts to convey an impression of personal habits or desires that we need to cast off in order to truly follow Him (see Tuesday's reading).  In each of our readings for the week, Jesus has spoken to us about attachments, and the need to allow God in first before everything else.  St. Paul writes that "the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12)  That is, our spiritual need goes deeper than anything else, and that which would separate us from salvation will be rooted out even to the greatest depth within us.  What we remember, however, is Jesus' promise of exchange.  We exchange one way of life for another, one way of looking at life for another, one set of attachments for a deeper reality grounded in the energies of God, to which all else will be added.  But we will be changed, our dependency will be upon something other than that which we think we possess.  This is the exchange of life He promises, and it is a change of life indeed.  Let us pray for our own detachment, which can be painful and difficult, even a frightening process.  Jesus repeatedly says to the disciples, "Do not be afraid."   But joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).  We don't know what life this rich man, beloved of Christ, could have had as one of Jesus' followers. We do know that he went away sad.  As St. Chrysostom writes, it is by no means an easy thing to give up the things we're asked, internal and external.  Let us pray for the courage to follow, for ourselves and others, for with God all things are possible.

With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible

 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  And again I say to you, 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."  When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"  But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You.  Therefore what shall we have?"  So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children of lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

- Matthew 19:23-30

Yesterday, we read that little children were brought to Jesus that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.  But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."  And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.  Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"  So He said to him, "Why do you call me good?  No one is good but One, that is, God.  But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."  He said to Him, "Which ones?"  Jesus said, "'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother,' and 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"  The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth.  What do I still lack?"  Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions."

 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  And again I say to you, 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."  When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"  But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."   In yesterday's reading, we discussed the idea of attachment to riches.  My study bible notes here the various interpretations that have been given for the image in Jesus' expression, "a camel to go through the eye of a needle."   Some cite the Aramaic word for camel which sounds like "rope" -- that gives the saying a type of analogous quality.  Some suggest that the eye of a needle is referring to a small city gate  through which a camel could squeeze if it were first unloaded of all its baggage, which would symbolize wealth.  There is an expression in the Talmud "for an elephant to go through the eye of a needle" which is quite similar to Jesus' expression.  But all of these have one thing in common -- the image of great difficulty, or rather impossibility, of salvation for those who remain attached to riches.  My study bible notes the response of the disciples' response, "Who then can be saved?" as evidence that Jesus' words seem to preclude salvation.  That they are greatly astonished seems to suggest how deeply this saying may affect each of us.  Here, Jesus' rather shocking pronouncement becomes a moment for teaching:  by God's grace, all things are possible.

Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You.  Therefore what shall we have?"  So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children of lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first."  My study bible says that Jesus isn't commanding believers to divorce spouses and abandon children.  St. John Chrysostom suggests that this statement teaches about the struggle to keep one's faith under persecution, even when it may mean losing one's family.  It also suggests acceptance of the possibility that family members may seek to cut off ties with those whose faith is unacceptable to them (see 1 Corinthians 7:12-16).  My study bible says that believers are promised a hundredfold of houses and relatives not in an earthly sense, but rather in a spiritual sense:  the fathers and mothers of the Church, brothers and sisters in Christ, and houses of worship and fellowship.  Many who are first will be last once again gives us a note of humility in His teaching to these first followers.

Once again Jesus gives us a kind of exchange in His teachings.  We exchange one thing for another in faith.  He spoke to the rich young ruler of "treasures in heaven" that he would have by selling what he had and giving to the poor.  It's a sense in which what we give away returns to us "a hundredfold," a spiritual sense.  But the inner riches of the spirit -- linked to "treasures in heaven" -- also translates into riches in this life.  That is, the "treasures in heaven" teach us about values that are truly important and essential and which are added unto us.  The internal wealth of a generous spirit, for instance, translates into something deeply joyful and satisfying and almost inexplicable in its effect upon us when we have done something to give others a blessing.  Such actions turn our minds to the things of God and to where God may lead us.  Often the pursuit of wealth for its own sake is seen as an impediment to the development of God-given talents and capacities for creativity or other positive work which we're capable of doing.  We may find that an initiative to follow the words of Christ in detaching ourselves from "possessions" leads us to pursue a more meaningful and constructive and disciplined life of true self-development, building our talents and skills for positive contributions that also enrich us on many levels.  Jesus' words teach us to see life differently, putting our primary pursuit in perspective.  So much comes down to what we love and cherish, or what we choose to serve and worship.  Then, the rest of our life falls into order behind that main decision.  St. John Chrysostom felt very keenly the call to share or distribute wealth in alms-giving, saying that expenditures on unnecessary or vain choices to impress others was taking food out of the mouths of the poor.  Whatever way we come to understand Jesus' words, there is no doubt that giving away whatever it is that stands in the way of our faith comes back to us a hundredfold, in ways we couldn't have expected, ways that are opened up to us through that faith and the more clear pathway to God made by doing so.  Jesus' words are true, that with God all things are possible.  What I have found that means is that there are myriad possibilities contained in every moment of action taken in faith.  So much so, that the pathway before us might be filled with treasures we can't yet see or know, but are made possible through God's opening up of our lives.  We just need to decide where we put our faith, and step forward into that life.  All of Jesus' teachings on wealth bring us to mind of His parables of the pearl of great price and the treasure buried in a field.  Our true treasure makes everything else pale in value and worth.  It is worth everything else. 

Who then can be saved?

 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  And again I say to you, 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."  When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished saying, "Who then can be saved?"  But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You.  Therefore what shall we have?"  So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

- Matthew 19:23-30

Yesterday, we read that little children were brought to Jesus that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.  But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."  And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.  Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"  So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good?  Now one is good but One, that is, God.  But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."  He said to Him, "Which ones?"  Jesus said, 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"  The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth.  What do I still lack?"  Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  And again I say to you, 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."   When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished saying, "Who then can be saved?"  Jesus gives an extremely vivid metaphor for the difficulties of detachment, especially from great possessions.  We often view this as disparaging wealthy people, but if we look closely, what it really tells us is the difficulties of attachment to wealth.  We could perhaps elaborate on various interpretations that have been given for this picture ("eye of a needle" was possibly the name of a small city gate that a camel could only pass through if it were first unloaded of all its baggage, or "rope" in Aramaic sounds like the word for camel).  In addition the Talmud uses a similar expression for difficulty:  "for an elephant to go through the eye of a needle."   But to be pressed and squeezed through a tiny opening (and we remember that Jesus has said all of us must enter through the narrow gate to life) tells us of a difficult journey, of unloading all the things to which we're attached and from which we feel we take identity in life.  The "wealthy" are going to have a harder time with this, because wealth determines so much about life and creates dependency.  But the attachment to riches doesn't only exist for the exceptionally wealthy.  This is a particular lesson for this time of year and where we put our emphasis during the holidays.   This is especially true in a world that has radically departed from the economies of Christ's time, and so emphasizes what we might get that will make us happy or "successful," and what others have that we might not have.  My study bible says that whatever the phrase refers to, it displays the impossibility of salvation for those who are attached to riches.   It notes that this is clearly evidenced by the disciples' response, "Who then can be saved?"  This question reflects everybody's concern.

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."   I think the power in this statement is something that we often want to overlook.  We seemingly never fail to underestimate the power of God at work in our lives.  It is my belief that the Holy Spirit will help us to detach from the things which we need to become detached from, in order to let God more fully into our hearts.  Furthermore, Jesus clearly states that God is a necessary part of this equation.  It's impossible to change of ourselves alone.  How are we supposed to unthink who we are?  With what resources do we understand how to change in the ways that are necessary to reach a goal we can't yet contain nor understand, as it's not a part of us?  We need God's help for detachment, a lifelong process of movement in our faith and re-centering in the place Christ asks us to be instead.  We need help.  That is, we need the kind of help that makes all things possible.

  Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You.  Therefore what shall we have?"  So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first."  As far as we know, these are not wealthy men of great possessions who have followed Christ.  It's possible that Matthew -- the author of this gospel! -- was relatively wealthy, as he was a tax collector.  But Peter, who has a family and a house, still speaks for them all when he says, "We have left all and followed You."  It's another emphasis that this teaching isn't just for the very wealthy, but for all of us.  Jesus now speaks of those who have left behind the whole of their lives for His sake, for the sake of His ministry and His church.  According to St. John Chrysostom, this refers to keeping faith under persecution even if it means to lose one's family.  It means even the acceptance that unbelieving family members may cut off ties because of the believer's faith (see 1 Corinthians 7:12-16).  The return is wealth within faith:  brothers and sisters in Christ, and the kind of wealth added to life in the richness of faith.  Faith helps us to understand and discover resources present to us (exemplified in the multiplication of loaves and fishes), including "houses" of worship and fellowship.  Again, it is a kind of exchange of one life for another, as we have so often seen  (see yesterday's reading and commentary on this subject). 

We've often written in this blog about the exchange that we can see in Christ's teachings.  When something is sacrificed in the process of our faith, our walk with Christ, somehow the exchange we receive is something magnified beyond the value of what we gave up.  Christ "fills us with good things."  In yesterday's reading, Jesus spoke of having "treasure in heaven," in exchange for the worldly wealth the man who came to Him would give up, and I think we have a great tendency to be so focused on the material that we can't understand the great wealth that comes to the soul.  Enlightenment, in terms of being illumined by faith, gives us a far different perspective on the things we have than life without that faith.  There was a time I gave up nearly everything I owned because I felt it was that important to move; I had to leave most everything behind because I had no place to take it to, and found a way to give it to the poor.  It was the most liberating thing I have ever done, because it taught me that I could always start, with Christ, from wherever I am.  And it made me permanently dependent on God in ways that I pray I will not lose.  Christ has blessed me with a material life far beyond what I had then but it all has to be in service to God.  Most important however is the place of the heart.  It really doesn't matter what one has or doesn't have if we're totally selfish human beings.  And there we start with the baggage of the wealthy piled atop that camel in today's reading.  It is a time of Thanksgiving in the United States where I live.  Tomorrow is the holiday for giving thanks.  In a letter from a bishop, I read today that we must particularly give thanks in times of persecution, not only in times of peace and prosperity.  I ask my readers to remember those who are persecuted for their faith around the world today.  And it really is a worldwide phenomenon that I am writing about.  I have many readers in Africa who understand too well what I am writing about.  People across the Middle East are also suffering persecution for their faith, including those in the persecuted Church (and others) who have suffered from genocide in the last century and now face similar circumstances.  Whether we are wealthy or poor, we can understand the needs of those who stand to lose even their lives at any moment, or their freedom to slavery of the most horrific kind as women and children, targeted specifically because of their faith, are either made sex slaves or child soldiers and murderers.  These things are surely evil in the robbing of the souls of those who are its victims, the innocent and powerless of the world.    It is a time for all of us to understand who "the least of these" really are in our world and to give whatever we can -- including our prayers and time -- to help.  It is a hardhearted form of sophistry not to care about such people when one is far away from the horror with which they must live.  Let us not be blind to the reality of those who suffer the most persecution because they are the most helpless. 

The things which are impossible with men are possible with God

Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called them to Him and said, "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 be no means enter it."

Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to 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,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' "  And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth."  So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing.  Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."  But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.  And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!  For 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 those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?"  But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

- Luke 18:15-30

On Saturday, we read that Jesus gave a parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.  This is the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican:  "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men -- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'  And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'   I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called them to Him and said, "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 be no means enter it."  My study bible says, "The blessing of children by respected rabbis was customary.  Jesus uses the image of the child to convey the ideal of childlike simplicity and humility required to enter the Kingdom."  A priest I heard recently taught that children, in Jesus' time, were thought of quite differently than we in the West think of our children now.  They were very much more disciplined, and a precocious child was not necessarily one seen in light of tolerance.  So, not to forbid the children is something important and notable here.  Children are an image of the eminently teachable, the ones ready for learning and instruction, to forgo their own ways of thinking for something better.  This is a question of natural receptivity to a true Parent, the capacity to "change our minds" and accept a better way.

Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good?  No one is good but One, that is, God."  In Jesus' reply, He gives us an example of the humility my study bible mentions as belonging to those who would enter the Kingdom.  He first points to God the Father, away from Himself as man.  There's a sort of play on a sense of power here:  Jesus is speaking to a ruler, and guides him to the true power of the universe, of justice, of all we think of as good.  This hierarchy must be something a ruler would grasp as an innate sense of his daily life.  And at the same time, the graciousness of Christ is evident.

"You know the commandments:  'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' "   Again, Jesus defers to proper authority before setting before the man His own commandment in a very personal encounter.  This time, it is the authority of the Law.  We know that Christ is both God and Lawgiver, but He is speaking to this ruler as son of Man, and "Good Teacher" or Rabbi.

And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth."  So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing.  Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."  My study bible notes:  "A rich ruler is challenged by Jesus not only to observe the Ten Commandments but also to sacrifice all things and follow Him.  St. John Chrysostom teaches that because Jesus loved the man (see Mark 10:21), He named these conditions for his particular need."

But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.  And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!  For 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."  Let us consider this story in light of the earlier verses, about the children who come to Christ for a blessing.  Children, we said, are those who are highly teachable, ready to learn new things they don't already know.  They can easily "change their minds" -- the literal meaning of the Greek word we translate as "repentance."  Here the attachment to worldly things is in the form of the riches possessed by this ruler.  We remember St. Chrysostom's teaching that Jesus loved this young man, referring to Mark 10:21.  To find his way into the Kingdom as a child is to turn his life toward something else as fulfillment, a different way of life.  In his sorrow, we can see how difficult this command really is.  Jesus' saying about the camel and the eye of the needle illustrates Jesus' understanding of his difficulty.

And those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?"  But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."  My study bible notes:  "God's power can save even a rich man.  And those who have turned their backs on riches and forsaken earthly good altogether for the cause of the Kingdom will reap abundant rewards from God."

Today's reading couples a teaching about children and the "mindset" needed for entry into the Kingdom, along with the teachings to a rich ruler.  In my opinion, there are many parallels to study.  There is first of all the humility and "teachability" of children to consider.  They are ready to be taught, to be made into an image in the world.  In this case, we enter into the Kingdom in order to be made into the image of God placed within us at our creation, to learn true God-likeness in order to reflect that image into which we grow more deeply through Christ's leadership and teaching.  Such is the way of entry "as a child," one who is malleable and capable of changing one's mind.  Again, as we note so often in commentary, there is the exchange of one life for another, for acquiring the ways of the Kingdom in exchange for the ways of the world -- our worldly image, for God's image and likeness.  The story of the wealthy ruler becomes, in light of this context, an illustration of Christ's teaching.  The ruler is a young man whom Jesus loves, like a child.  His instruction and discipline is for the young man's good, so that he may grow into the likeness of Creator, the true Parent who wishes to shape the young ruler into His true image, in His name, the true lineage of this Kingdom.    But there must be an exchange, one form of goods in one perspective for another.  And that is the child-likeness that Jesus praises for those who would enter this Kingdom. This is the one thing necessary; in this specific case, it is his goods and riches for treasure in heaven.  For others, this is a metaphor for the things we treasure that stand in our way.   We remember that rebuke and correction come in the context of love, as a true parent for a beloved child.  But that requires a particular mindset on our part.  Can we see ourselves in this light?  Remember, it is Christ, God who comes to us.  Through His graceful condescension, He enters into our lives if we allow it, and helps us to change in the ways He desires.  We don't do this of ourselves.  Can we open the door to God's work in us?  To the Spirit who creates in us a place for the Kingdom, and guides us into "God-likeness?"   As He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."