Mt 19:23-30
23Jesus said to his disciples, “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.24Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” 26Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”
27Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?”28Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Reflection:
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle. To pass through the eye of a needle means to do a difficult thing, requiring patience, sacrifice, and endurance. A similar Filipino saying describes being squeezed dry before one succeeds.
What does Jesus mean when he says we have to pass through the eye of a needle to enter the kingdom of heaven?
One, we have to recognize the process involved in any undertaking. Nothing happens fast and easy. Many big things or successful persons start with small steps. Two, we have to do our homework. We study the options, the possibilities, the best way in, and many other things so as to get to where we wish to go. Third, the best things in life or the things that last are those we gain with pain and sacrifice. We love and appreciate most what we achieve after going through the eye of a needle. True holiness and serenity do not just happen or fall from heaven. We have to pass through the eye of a needle to achieve them.
Study how one item you now enjoy at home or in your life was made.