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.
Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word [ … ]
On Palm Sunday, the Church invites us to enter once again into the drama and mystery of Christ’s final journey to Jerusalem—a journey not just toward a city, but toward suffering, death, and glory. In his beautiful and contemplative homily, On the Palm Branches, Saint Andrew of Crete opens this moment to us not as passive observers of history, but as participants in Christ’s Passion, called to walk with him and to imitate his self-offering [ … ]
Scripture: John 14:27 ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ In this verse, Jesus offers his peace to his disciples, a peace that is different from what the world provides. This divine peace is deep, abiding, and capable of calming troubled hearts and dispelling fear. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding and is rooted in the presence and promises of Christ. Prayer Dear Jesus, I come before you, seeking your peace in my life. The world around me is filled with chaos and uncertainty, but I know that your peace can calm the storm within my heart. Help me to trust in you more deeply, to rest in your promises, and to feel your presence in every moment. Fill me with your peace that surpasses all understanding, and help me to be a vessel of your peace to those around me. Amen. Personal Reflection What areas of your life are causing you anxiety or fear? How can you invite Jesus’ peace into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced Christ’s peace amidst turmoil. Meditation On Prayer And Gospel John 14:27 reveals a profound truth about the nature of Jesus’ peace. Unlike the fleeting and often superficial peace offered by the world, Jesus’ peace is enduring and deeply transformative. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is anchored in the character and promises of Christ. As we navigate through life’s challenges, it’s crucial to understand and embrace this divine peace. Jesus’ peace is rooted in his presence. When he says, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,’ Jesus is assuring us of his continual presence. This peace is a gift that flows from his abiding presence in our lives. It is a reminder that we are never alone, no matter what we face. his presence brings comfort and security, allowing us to rest even in the midst of life’s storms. Furthermore, Jesus contrasts his peace with the peace that the world gives. The world’s peace is often conditional and temporary, based on circumstances that can change in an instant. In contrast, Jesus’ peace is steadfast and eternal. It is a peace that reassures us in our deepest fears and anxieties, reminding us that he is in control. This peace transcends our understanding, as it is grounded in the eternal and unchanging nature of God. To experience Jesus’ peace, we must cultivate a relationship with him. This involves spending time in prayer, meditating on his word, and seeking his presence in our daily lives. It also means surrendering our worries and fears to Jesus, trusting that Jesus will provide and protect. As we draw closer to Jesus, his peace fills our hearts and minds, transforming our outlook and calming our spirits. One practical way to embrace Jesus’ peace is through prayer and meditation. By setting aside time each day to be still before the Lord, we create space for his peace to fill us. Reflecting on scriptures like John 14:27 can remind us of his promises and help us focus on his presence. Additionally, practicing gratitude can shift our focus from our worries to the many blessings in our lives, further opening our hearts to his peace. Another aspect of embracing Jesus’ peace is learning to let go of control. Often, our anxiety stems from a desire to control our circumstances. Jesus invites us to trust in his sovereign plan, even when we do not understand it. By surrendering our need for control and placing our trust in Him, we open ourselves to the peace that comes from knowing that He holds all things in his hands. Living in Jesus’ peace also means becoming peacemakers in our relationships and communities. As we experience his peace, we are called to extend that peace to others. This involves forgiving those who have wronged us, seeking reconciliation, and promoting harmony wherever we go. By being agents of his peace, we reflect his love and grace to a world in desperate need of his presence. Prayer Lord Jesus, Your peace is a precious gift that the world cannot give. In times of turmoil and distress, remind me to turn to you. Let your peace guard my heart and mind, dispelling all fear and anxiety. Teach me to trust in your unfailing love and to rest in your promises. Help me to be a peacemaker, sharing your peace with those around me. May your peace reign in my heart, my home, and my relationships. Thank you for your constant presence and the gift of your peace. Amen. Scripture: Matthew 5:9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Blessing May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ fill your heart and mind, guiding you through every challenge and bringing you comfort and joy. May you rest in his unending peace and share it generously with those around you. Amen.
