Posted by The WORD in other words (2021) by Fr. Fermin Galolo Jr., SVD (CTManila)
Photo credits to wikimedia commons: Jesus Christ, created by German painter Heinrich Hofmann in the 1880s
Tuesday 20th Week in Ordinary Time
This passage shows just how difficult it is to enter the Kingdom of God. Many are disheartened, like the disciples, at the seeming impossibility. But knowing that Jesus desires nothing more than for us to be able to go back to God, maybe we can. We should read the passage in a different light and understand it within the context of Jesus’ mission: to invite us to enter God’s kingdom.
“With God nothing is impossible.” Here Jesus teaches us to trust God and depend on His providence. While our increasing independence is good, it has also led us to trust more in our own human designs than in God’s will. We tend to rely exclusively on science, our power, intelligence, fame, or wealth without God in the equation. This attitude has only personal satisfaction and convenience in view, giving little regard for suffering, and worse, making us lose belief in God altogether.
Faith in God is not a passive dependence on God for our daily bread without toiling for it. Toiling is a participation in the creative power of God. It may bring us into some rough patches in life, but these will just test our trust in God and our appreciation of his providence.
The Saints had thrown themselves to God’s mercy and providence. Saint Arnold Janssen and St. Joseph Freinademetz definitely did, as well as the Blessed Mother and her spouse, Saint Joseph.
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