Reflection for Tuesday,  20th week in Ordinary Time


 By

Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Director, Social Action Movement, Don Bosco Bidar


Today's WORD of GOD 

 Matthew 19: 23 - 30 

 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 

 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 

 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 

 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” 

 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, 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 fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. 


 

Today's Reflection 


The Readings for Today Prompt a Spirit of Active Faith in the Quest of Justice.

Ezekiel Rages Against the Wealthy Seaport Kingdom of Tyre, the Epitome of Power & Worldly Success. 

The People of Tyre Saw Themselves as Wiser than Daniel, that Proverbial Wise Man of Ancient Literature who Shows Up also in Ancient, Non-Biblical Documents. By Wisdom & Know-How Tyre had Amassed Its Wealth & Commerce & Felt Itself to be Godlike. 

The City of Tyre Survived Many Assaults, so that Not even the Assyrians or Babylonians could Capture It. Only when Alexander the Great Built a Huge Earthen Mole so to Connect It with the Mainland, Tyre was Eventually Captured. But Collapse It Did, a Biblical Symbol for Defeated Pride & Unavailing Wealth. 

Ezekiel 27-28 is a Classic Description of Tyre’s Downfall, Like a Ship Sinking or a Garden of Paradise Lost through Pride. “Faith” Survived to Write the Epitaph of Worldly Wealth.

With This as Background, JESUS' Enigmatic Sayings about how Wealth can Mislead & About the 1st Becoming Last, about what Seems Humanly Impossible Becoming Possible by Divine Grace, should Make More Sense. 

HE Does Not Explain the Paradox about the Last Becoming 1st, but to a Person of Faith, with Instincts & Values like Ezekiel, & who Practices Prayer & Fidelity, JESUS' Words Summon Us to the Most Active Response of Faith, Trusting that Eventually “The Last will be 1st.”

Some Gospel Phrases Catch My Special Attention because They Convey a Great Deal, at least to Me. One of These is in Today’s Gospel, 

‘For People This is Impossible, for GOD Everything is Possible.’ 

A Somewhat Similar Saying Occurs in Luke’s Account of the Annunciation where, in Response to Mary’s Question, ‘How Can This Be?’ Gabriel Answers, ‘Nothing is Impossible with GOD.’ 

The Context of the Saying in Today’s Gospel is that of the Rich Young Man who Came to JESUS Looking for the Path to Eternal Life but Went Away Sad because He was Possessed by His Possessions. How can such a Rich Man Enter into Eternal Life? It is Possible, JESUS Declares, but only with GOD'S Grace, GOD'S Help. 

In Our Own Lives We can Sometimes Find Ourselves Up Against Impossible Odds. We Wonder how We will Get Through Some Test, How We will Keep Going. In such Circumstances, the Saying in Today’s Gospel can be a Great Encouragement to Us, ‘For GOD Everything is Possible.’ 

Saint Paul Knew the Truth of that, & He Expressed that Truth in His Inimitable Way. He Declares, ‘I can Do All Things Through HIM Who Gives Me Strength.’ 

(Phil. 4: 13)

There are Times when We All Need to Fall Back on that Conviction.


Good morning

Have a blessed day

Pray for Salesians as they celebrate their patron Don Bosco's 207th birthday.