Sir 17:24-27, 29. Ps 32. Mk 10:17-27.
“How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”
The above statement (Mk 10:23) doesn’t strike to be shocking for us perhaps. We are only too familiar with this Jesus’ statement, and usually think it is meant for those others who have plenty of riches and wealth. Interestingly, Jesus doesn’t say that if you are “filthy rich” then you cannot enter God’s kingdom. Rather he seems to be against all riches and wealth. Maybe we could translate this verse thus for ourselves: “How hard it is to enter the kingdom of God for us who rely on money, riches, wealth, comforts, and luxuries.”
In the Beatitudes, our Lord clearly says, “Happy are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Lk 6:20) The poor are the blessed ones. Not the rich ones. In fact, it is a curse to have riches and wealth. Jesus says, as a corollary to the above Beatitude, “Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.” (Lk 6:24)
Happiness does not come from having enough money, luxuries and comfort. Happiness comes only from a meaningful life: when connected to God and to our brothers and sisters in the world, especially the poor. That’s why Jesus clearly tells the rich man in today’s gospel, “Go, sell what you have, and give the money to the poor; and you will have riches in heaven.” (Mk 10:21)
Many management gurus and business companies in the world say just the opposite. “You need to become rich in order to enjoy your life, and become someone important in the world and society.” We even seem to unconsciously believe that only by being rich that we can be happy. Perhaps even in the Old Testament riches were considered a blessing. Prosperity was a sign of God’s blessing. But Jesus takes a radical stand. Not only do you need to give your money to the poor, but also you need to become poor like him if you want to follow him.
This is a teaching that we cannot understand or accept. “Why should I become poor? If I can work hard and earn all the money possible, why should I not keep that money with me? It’s my money, anyway!”
This is the radicality of Jesus whom we follow. This is not an option, a command not just for sisters and brothers and fathers, but for all of us Christians. Following Jesus will make us think of others as our own brothers and sisters, and we can’t live a life of comfort and luxury, we will spontaneously start helping others. Vertical connection with God will push us towards a horizontal solidarity with our own sisters and brothers. We can never be islands after all if we start following Jesus.
If you see in this world: poor people can easily laugh and smile and even enjoy their life in spite of their many problems. They can share their money and things easily with others. They become very dependent on God and others. They are very open to reality. But rich people ordinarily go around with a heavy heart with “n” number of worries. This is not to romanticize poverty or perpetuate or justify misery in our country and in the world. I’m just putting a big accent on getting attached to God and His Kingdom, rather than material things and riches. I’m trying to pull our attention to the centrality of God in our lives—without whom nothing will be possible.
Happiness is not found in the absence of problems, but in the trust and connection that we have with Our Lord and with other Christians. He is the ONLY source of all joy and happiness. Isn’t He?
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