20th Tuesday "Eye of a Needle"

 In the Gospel today Our Lord said, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than who is rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 

 Was Jesus referring here to a needle and thread? No! Rather, “The needle’s eye” was the name given to a small passage that existed in Jerusalem’s wall. The gate of the city was closed ate dusk, and those who came after the gate was closed had to use the well guarded “needle’s eye.” A person could walk easily through this narrow opening, but the camel could not easily make it. One would either have to leave his camel behind or unload the camel with all its baggage. And then to try to force the camel through the “needle’s eye” was an ordeal especially if the camel didn’t want to squat down to go through the low gate.

Therefore, as difficult as it is to get a camel through the eye of the needle gate would it be for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.

Jesus wanted them to give up everything including their family, their land, their jobs, their riches and material possessions. He was warning them being attached to riches could hinder them from entering into the kingdom of heaven.

Our Lord promises His apostles, by giving up everything, they will sit on the 12 thrones in heaven and will have more houses, brothers and sisters and children and lands in the kingdom of heaven.

They need to leave everything behind and keep their eyes and heart on the kingdom of heaven and all will be given to them.

May the Virgin of the poor, pray for us and inspire us to be detached from the things of the world and attached to God alone.