Listen

Looking around, Jesus said to his disciples, “It will be very hard for the wealthy to enter God’s kingdom!” His words startled the disciples, so Jesus told them again, “Children, it’s difficult to enter God’s kingdom! It’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”

They were shocked even more and said to each other, “Then who can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible with human beings, but not with God. All things are possible for God.”

Mark 10:23-27

Think

I like my stuff. I enjoy buying beautiful things – clothes, books, and pictures. I savor the chance to use my money to buy gifts for others. I am not lacking in material things. When I hear Jesus’ words about the wealthy not entering the kingdom of God, I get nervous. Does that mean me? Do I have too much stuff and money? Do I give enough away to support my neighbors? These are hard questions to wrestle with. I’m startled, just like the disciples.

Thankfully I’m not alone in my questions or my wrestling. God tells the disciples and us that nothing is impossible for God. Sometimes it takes small steps to follow Jesus: a small step reflecting on our stuff, a small step giving something away. Thankfully, God can work with our stuff and our sometimes-selfish desires and can make the impossible possible.

Kimberly Knowle-Zeller

Pray

Gracious God, you call me to do hard things. Give me the courage to reflect on what I have and the strength to share my resources with others. Amen.

Go

My heart shall sing of the day you bring.

Let the fires of your justice burn.

Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.

from “Canticle of the Turning” by Rory Cooney (1990)