Christian Art | A Camel Through The Eye Of The Needle
Mark 10: 17-27 – Week 8 Ordinary Time, Monday (Audio Bible KJV Spoken Word)
17 ¶ And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
23 ¶ And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
The rich young man has recognized what Jesus has to offer him. Moved with great enthusiasm, he runs to Jesus to ask him what he must do. To this, Jesus reminds the young man of the Ten Commandments.
These Bible verses affirm that Jesus is not come to replace the commandments, but rather to fulfil them. Indeed, we may consider the commandments now and find that no part of them has become obsolete. As Christians, we are called to obey the commandments.
This could seem strange. After all, Jesus came to forgive us our sins, and he does much in his ministry to counteract the excessive, and excessively detailed, elaborations of the Jewish observances. The commandments, however, are not an excess, a burden placed upon people to keep them in line; they are at the core of God’s rule for living. In effect, all the sins we commit can be considered a violation of one or more of the Ten Commandments.
Thou shalt not kill. There are few of us who will ever actually kill another human being, but the commandment reaches beyond this bald interpretation. All too often, a person might injure another person through a cruel word or through the omission of a kind word, or we might carelessly withhold much needed deeds of affection, failing to treat every other human being as our neighbour, our brother in Christ.
Thou shalt not commit adultery. Well, when we are married, to cheat on a husband or wife must be almost unthinkable, and yet we see that many people squander their gift of sexuality through promiscuous living and through a way of life which is directed to sexual display and transient gratification, in effect making themselves and other people objects of a sexually oriented idolatry.
Thou shalt not steal. Yet so much that we buy and sell has come at high environmental cost, or a cost in terms of human misery, which is not factored through to the price we pay. Perhaps, then, the rules of the marketplace have led many to pay those who work for them, whether indirectly or directly, the least they could get away with, rather than what would be truly a living wage. There are many who work each day and yet live in poverty, their lives being stolen from them.
Above all, there is the primary, positive commandment: ‘And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.’ This is one commandment Jesus most notably asks of us, concerning his Father and also himself. We are not to regard Jesus as only a great teacher or prophet or healer. We are to love him with all our being. We are to be part of his body. We are to drink his blood and eat his flesh. We are to know that he is the air we breathe, that without him we can do nothing, that our lives are lived through Jesus. We are to know that there is no other good but God’s, and from this all good in our lives flows. This was the commandment of Yahweh to Moses and to the people of Israel. It is now our commandment, as Christians.
The rich young man knows the commandments. Moreover, he has obeyed the commandments from his youth. Surely, then, salvation must be his? Jesus now looks at this young man with love and also pity. There is one thing this rich young man lacks, which is all that he has. To be perfect, he must give away everything that he has, and so follow Jesus.
The rich young man, then, is returned to the first commandment, to love God. His attachment to worldly possessions compromises this. If his mind, his desires, his love, are caught up in his material wealth, then he cannot wholly be with God. The young man has asked Jesus how to achieve everything. Rejecting what Jesus has to say to him, he goes away sorrowful. From now on, all that rich young man’s possessions will only mean this to him: sorrow.
‘It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.’ This is a difficult saying. Riches can work great wonders in the world. Riches build hospitals and schools, can keep people from dying of malaria, can feed and house people. But it is not money that is the root of all evil; it is the love of money. It is that false love that grasps onto the young man, and so leads him away from God.
‘Follow Christ! You who are single or preparing for marriage. Follow Christ! You who are young or old. Follow Christ! You who are sick or ageing; who are suffering or in pain. You who feel the need for healing, the need for love, the need for a friend – follow Christ!’ John Paul II
Concluding Prayer
Lord God,
who entrusted the earth to mankind
to till it and care for it,
and made the sun to serve people’s needs:
give us the grace this day to work faithfully for your glory
and for our neighbbours’ good.
We make our prayer through our Lord.
God is everywhere. He is immeasurably vast and yet everywhere he is close at hand, as he himself bears witness: I am a God close at hand, and not a God who is distant. It is not a God who is far away that we are seeking, since (if we deserve it) he is within us. For he lives in us as the soul lives in the body – if only we are healthy limbs of his, if we are dead to sin. Then indeed he lives within us, he who has said: And I will live in them and walk among them. If we are worthy for him to be in us then in truth he gives us life, makes us his living limbs. As Saint Paul says, In him we live and move and have our being [ … ]
Saint Augustine’s sermon addresses a recurring human tendency: the belief that former times were better than the present. His reflection places suffering within the broader theological framework of punishment for sin and correction for salvation. Affliction is not simply random misfortune but part of the divine pedagogy by which believers are purified and trained in perseverance [ … ]
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ In this passage, Jesus extends an invitation to all who are weary and burdened. Jesus promises rest and relief, urging us to take his yoke and learn from him. Jesus’ gentle and humble heart offers rest for our souls, emphasizing that his yoke is easy and his burden light. This passage is a reminder of the hope we have in Christ, who offers us rest and peace amid our struggles. Prayer Dear Jesus, In times of uncertainty and despair, I turn to you, the source of all hope. Fill my heart with your hope that transcends understanding. Help me to trust in your promises and to find joy and peace in your presence. May your hope renew my spirit and give me the strength to face each day with confidence and faith. Let your hope shine through me, bringing light to others who are in need. Amen. Personal Reflection What are the situations in your life that seem hopeless? How can you invite Jesus’ hope into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced renewed hope through your faith in Christ. Meditation On The Prayer And Gospel Matthew 11:28-30 is a passage that speaks directly to our need for hope and rest. Jesus’ invitation to come to him is extended to all who are weary and burdened, offering a refuge from the struggles of life. This invitation is not just a call to physical rest but a deeper spiritual rest that brings peace to our souls. Jesus understands the burdens we carry and offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. The imagery of a yoke suggests partnership and guidance; by taking on his yoke, we align ourselves with him, allowing him to share our burdens and guide our steps. This partnership is marked by learning from Jesus, whose gentle and humble heart sets an example for us. The promise of rest for our souls is comforting. In a world where we often feel overwhelmed and stressed, Jesus assures us that he is our source of true rest and peace. His rest is not temporary or superficial but a peace that sustains us through life’s challenges. This promise gives us hope, knowing that no matter what we face, we can find solace in Jesus. Reflecting on this passage, we are reminded of the importance of surrendering our burdens to Jesus. It requires trust and faith to let go of our anxieties and allow him to take control. This surrender is an act of faith, acknowledging that Jesus is capable and willing to carry our burdens. As we learn to trust him more, we experience the peace and rest he promises. The hope we find in Jesus is transformative. It renews our spirits and gives us the strength to persevere. This hope is not dependent on our circumstances but on the nature of Jesus and his promises. It is a hope that empowers us to face each day with confidence, knowing that we are not alone. As we embrace this hope, we are called to share it with others. The hope we receive from Jesus is not meant to be kept to ourselves but to be a light for others who are struggling. Through words of encouragement, acts of kindness, and simply being present, we can extend Jesus’ invitation of hope and rest to those around us. By living out this hope, we reflect Christ’s love and bring his light into the world. In practical terms, fostering hope involves daily practices that keep us connected to Jesus. Spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and being part of a faith community help us to stay grounded in our faith and renew our hope. These practices remind us of Jesus’ promises and keep our focus on him rather than on our circumstances. Prayer Lord Jesus, You are the anchor of my hope. In moments of doubt and despair, remind me of your promises. Fill my heart with your joy and peace, and let your hope overflow in my life. Help me to trust in your plans and to find strength in your presence. May your hope shine in me, guiding me through every trial and illuminating the path ahead. Use me as a beacon of your hope, bringing comfort and encouragement to those in need. Thank you for the gift of your eternal hope. Amen. Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ Blessing May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him. May you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, and may His hope guide and sustain you in all things. Amen.
