A man runs up to Jesus, kneels down and they have a conversation about the law.
Jesus looked at the man, with all his earnest desire, with all his righteousness, with all his thirst for eternal life, and loved him. At moment he was looked on with love by his Creator. And Jesus knew him, and knew what would perfect him. He offers Himself on the condition of detachment from wealth. Jesus tries to place God at the center of his heart - "No one is good but God alone", Jesus included. The way to eternal life was through that personal relationship, but he could not bear that God asked his everything, his false god, his security, his Isaac. "You cannot serve God and mammon" (Mt 6:24).
And Jesus says, "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God." The fathers write that he was speaking about his passion, in which he will fulfill the law with the ultimate act of love. Jesus is the just man, who opens not his mouth. He is the poor one on the cross, vulnerable in sympathy with the weak of humanity.
And he says, "For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God." By human resources we do not get salvation, nor even do we get things to work out very well for us on this earth. We are limited and we fall. We can plan all we want, try as hard as we want, yet when it comes to what's really important, its a free gift of God that gets us to heaven. Sure, we have to engage that gift, but it is a gift nonetheless. "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent" (Jn 6:29). We do not achieve salvation on our own merits, but on the merits of the precious blood of Christ.
Lord, look on us with love and place the Trinity at the center of our hearts, so that every choice we make is made for God, in God, through God, with God. Come down to our bleak situations and failing efforts and carry us through all the weaknesses of our humanity. Help us to accept your proposal in our hearts every day.
Mary, virgin gentle in mercy, bring us to Jesus with all of our questions and earnest desires. Teach us how to adore Christ and to place Him at the center of our hearts. When we fail due to human weakness, find a way for us to come back to God through the merits of your Son's passion.
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