The treasure that lasts

May 25, 2015
Monday, 8TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
First Reading:
Sirach 17:24-27, 29
Gospel: Mark 10:17-27
Just as Jesus was setting out on his journey again, a man ran up, knelt before him and asked, “Good Master, what must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus answered, “Why do you call me good? NO one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: D not kill, do not commit adultery, do nto steal, do not bear false witness, do not cheat, honor your father and mother.” The man replied, “I have obeyed all these commandments since my childhood.”
Then Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him and he said, “For you, one thing is lacking. Go, sell what you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and follow me.” On hearing these words, his face fell and he went away sorrowful for he was a man fo great wealth.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were more astonished than ever and wondered, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked steadily at them and said, “For humans it is impossible, but not for God; all things are possible with God.”
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the
Assimilated Life
Experience)
Many theories have been advanced to rationalize this sweeping statement of Jesus that it is easier for a camel to pass through a needles’ eye than for the rich to enter heaven. One theory is that the eye of a needle refers to the city gate of Jerusalem which was too narrow for camels to enter. Another is the ‘gamla’ theory.
Dr. George Lamsa, in his book entitled Gospel Light clarifies that the Aramaic word “gamla” can mean camel, a large rope, or a beam. When Jesus used it within the context of the use of a needle, he couldn’t have referred to a camel but to a rope. The contrary would lead to absurdity because a camel has no analogical relation to a thread that passes through a needle’s eye (www.eyeofaneedle.net). The Jerome Biblical Commentary, however, notes that the grotesque image of a camel entering a needle’s eye drives home the point that “it is practically impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom”, and that the “rope- for- camel” theory and the “narrow gate” theory are attempts at blunting the hyperbole.
Jesus did not use the word “impossible”. He merely said it is “hard” for the rich to enter heaven. Jesus even said, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Lk. 16:9). – Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.frdan.org.

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