For God everything is possible

Ezk. 28:1-10, Mt. 19:23-30. Today's readings prompt for a spirit of active faith in the quest for justice. In the first reading, Ezekiel rages against the wealthy seaport kingdom of Tyre, the epitome of power and worldly success. Ships went out from Tyre across the Mediterranean, to populate the city of Carthage, among others. The people of Tyre considered themselves to be wiser than Daniel, that proverbial wise man of ancient literature who shows up also in ancient, non-biblical documents. By wisdom and know-how, Tyre amassed its wealth and commerce and felt itself to be godlike. The Island city of Tyre survived many assaults, so that not even the Assyrians or Babylonians could capture it.

With this as background, Jesus’ enigmatic sayings about how wealth can mislead and the first becoming last, what seems humanly impossible becoming possible by divine grace, should make more sense to us. The words of Jesus summon us to the most active response of faith, trusting that eventually “the last will be first.” The context of the saying is that of the rich young man who came to Jesus looking for the path to eternal life but went away sad because he was possessed by his possessions. How can such a rich man enter into eternal life? It is possible, Jesus declares, but only with God’s grace, God’s help. In our own lives we can sometimes find ourselves up against impossible odds. We wonder how we will get through some test and how we will keep going. In such circumstances, the saying in today’s Gospel can be a great encouragement to us: "For God everything is possible."

May the Lord strengthen us and give us the courage in life that we may persevere in faith despite the challenges we encounter, that we may be worthy of God and eternal life! Amen!! Keep safe, it is well with you!!!