Tuesday 17 August 2021
Today is Tuesday the 17 August in the twentieth week of Ordinary time.
Luke Parker sings, ‘Sweet Surrender’.
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 19:23-30
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person 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 astounded and said, "Then who can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible." Then Peter said in reply, "Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated 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 children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
How does it make you feel to hear Jesus say ‘it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven’? What does this tell you about how you see yourself? - as rich, or poor, or somewhere in between?
Are there any ways in which riches and possessions are obstacles in your life? Even if I’m not rich, does the pursuit of wealth sometimes take me in a different direction than the following of God?
As you listen again notice how straightforward and honest this exchange is between Jesus and Peter.
Can you be as honest with God as Peter is here? Is there something you want to ask God or tell him? Speak to him frankly now about whatever is on your mind or in your heart.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.