August 20, 2019

Gospel: Matthew 19:23-30
Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I say to you: it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Yes, believe me: it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for the one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.”
On hearing this, the disciples were astonished and said, “Who, then, can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and answered, “For human beings it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”
Then Peter spoke up and said, “You see, we have given up everything to follow you. What, then, will there be for us?”
Jesus answered, “You, who have followed me, listen to my words: on the Day of Renewal, when the Son of Man sits on his throne in glory, you, also, will sit, on twelve thrones, to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. As for those who have left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or property for my Name’s sake, they will receive a hundredfold, and be given eternal life. Many who are now first, will be last, and many who are now last, will be first.

Reflections
“For God everything is possible.”
We are afraid to lose some­ thing, or some things, that is why we cannot surrender to God’s will. Because once we give it all up, it would mean we would only have God to depend on and would also mean placing our complete trust in him alone—an absolute reliance on his unfailing love. God’s will is demanding. When we cannot let go, when we are dominated by fear, divine power cannot operate in us; God’s grace cannot flow into our life. We are simply cut off from it.
So that all things become possible, an absolute trust in God is necessary. Trust connects us to God’s overflowing love. It conquers fear that weakens and paralyzes us. By trusting God, we allow him to touch our failings, our frailties, and our imperfec­ tion, transforming them into something beyond what we can conceive of. By relying on his goodness, we set ourselves on solid ground, never to be shaken by the cares of the world, and by doubt and fear. And by trusting God, we can move mountains.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019