Thoughts for the Day

Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.' When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, 'Then who can be saved?' But Jesus looked at them and said, 'For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.'

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In old walled cities sometimes there is a small gate which allows people to enter when the main gate is closed to traffic. In our picture we can see the very small doorway into the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, designed probably to stop war horses (rather than camels) coming through it during medieval times. But the point made is the same - it's easier for a war-horse to go through this small door than for someone rich to enter the kingdom of God!

This feels a bit hard, doesn't it? But Jesus is reminding his disciples that when we put too much attention into the things of this world - how much money we can make, or what we can buy - rather than how we can help others, then we are on a slippery slope. A pandemic needs all of us to look out for each other, and do what we can to help those in need rather than just look after ourselves.

Tuesday 18th August, follow up thoughts

Lord Jesus,
You have taught us
that if we concentrate on
on money and goods
we are on the wrong track.
Help us to use what You have given us -
our talents, our money, our imagination
to make this world better for others.
Amen.