Dear friends,

In the first reading the author of the book of Wisdom holds prudence and the spirit of wisdom as the highest, the most desirable, sought after prize. They are greater than any riches, priceless gems, gold, silver, even health and comeliness. In and with wisdom come all good things.

It is wisdom of heart that the psalmist desires, the ability to know, to discern, and to choose God’s ways, the way of blessing. So, above all material possessions and goods of this world, right relationship with God is the highest priority.

In the second reading the author of Hebrews was certainly correct when he said that the “word of God is sharper than any two edged sword.”

Today’s gospel image of a camel trying to pass through the eye of a needle is such a text. In the Jewish world of Jesus’ day often people saw wealth as a sign of God’s blessing, but Jesus’ strong challenge views it as sometimes an impediment to inheriting eternal life.

In today’s gospel a man beseeched Jesus to ask him the question “. . . what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus’ response was that he must keep the commandments; he must be faithful to the Torah. The questioner replied that he was faithful, even from his youth. Then Jesus urges him to sell everything he has and to give to the poor. This radical demand was as disturbing to the man as it no doubt sounds to us. But Jesus knew that his wealth and possessions consumed his life and that his priorities were skewed, so Jesus told him that he needed to put them right.

For Jesus saw that clinging to wealth and possessions could easily become an impediment to true discipleship. The disciples were amazed, no doubt because of their assumption that wealth was God’s blessing. So Jesus goes one step further and uses a vivid image to make them understand. “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”

This saying must have been troubling to the early Christians. As I am sure many of us do as well, the disciples expressed amazement at the saying knowing that such a thing is impossible. But Jesus consoles them with the promise that with God all things are possible. Even skewed priorities God can make right, if we cooperate with him...

In using the pointed and vivid image of the camel and the needle’s eye, Jesus puts even greater emphasis on that demand as a priority for discipleship. We might ask ourselves today, what impediments stand in our lives between ourselves and a life of fidelity to God in Jesus? What would “selling all” mean for me? How have I responded to the needs of the poor? When God speaks to us in our conscience He wants an immediate answer! Also, if changes needed to be done in our life, we have to do them. We cannot delay!