Dangers of wealth
M Mons. Vincenzo Paglia
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Gospel (Mt 19,23-30) - At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: «Truly I say to you: it will be difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. I repeat to you: it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." At these words the disciples were very amazed and said: "Then who can be saved?". Jesus looked at them and said: "This is impossible with men, but with God all things are possible." Then Peter answered him: «Behold, we have left everything and followed you; what then will we have?". And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, you who have followed me, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of his glory at the regeneration of the world, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Whoever leaves houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or fields for my name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. Many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first."

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

The rich young man just left, sad. He preferred to stay with his riches rather than leave them and follow Jesus. He then turns to the disciples and points out that it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus doesn't say it's impossible. To make this difficulty clear, he gives a paradoxical example that has become part of the common expressions that indicate something impossible: the camel passing through the eye of a needle. «So, who can be saved?». It is a question that should still resonate today in a world where material riches have become the only reason that drives politics and society. Jesus warned his disciples several times that one cannot serve God and "mammon", i.e. money (Mt 6:24). It seems truly impossible that a rich man can save himself. But Jesus immediately replies: "This is impossible with men, but with God everything is possible." Faith moves the heart of man from the possession of things to abandonment in God. Peter begins to understand and asks Jesus what those who abandon everything and entrust themselves to God receive. And Jesus offers an extraordinary response that shows God's generosity towards those who entrust themselves to him. He will now receive a hundredfold of what he left. This means that he will be surrounded by brothers and sisters and their brotherhood will cover him with love.