Mark 10:17-27
All things are possible with God. (see Mark 10:27)
Why does Jesus tell us that it is difficult for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God? Surely, God is not prejudiced against the rich; indeed, He gave them the talents and ambition to succeed. Difficulties are not God's doing, but man's. Success requires time and energy-consuming labour; its focus is "reaching the top" and staying there. Wealth also brings power, prestige, possessions, all that feeds the ego and places self above others. Considering the general spiritual state of humanity, we can see why a wealthy person would be loathe to divest himself sufficiently of worldly goods in order to become a dedicated follower of Christ, to assume a more austere and risky lifestyle.
God rejoices in giving us gifts, but when He bestows great talents in various fields of endeavour, their recipients often fail to see that God has given them a sacred trust.
This means they are to use their talents to improve the lot of all humanity rather than merely elevating themselves. Still, Jesus assures His disciples that all is possible with God, even salvation for the rich; for His grace flows increasingly to all, possibly more insistently toward the rich who have greater distractions to overcome and more of worldly pleasures to forfeit.
All powerful and loving Triune God,
teach us to live in a community of love as You do.
May we then generously share with one another
the great good you shower upon us.
Amen.
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Launceston on Tasmania
Australia
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