Matthew 19:23-30

Ezekiel 28:1-10

Deuteronomy 32:26-27ab, 27cd-28, 30, 35cd-35ab

Matthew 19:23-30

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich

to enter the Kingdom of heaven.

Again I say to you,

it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle

than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,

“Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said,

“For men this is impossible,

but for God all things are possible.”

Then Peter said to him in reply,

“We have given up everything and followed you.

What will there be for us?”

Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you

that you who have followed me, in the new age,

when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,

will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,

judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters

or father or mother or children or lands

for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,

and will inherit eternal life.

But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I want to inherit eternal life. I want to follow your Son in this new age that he has inaugurated. I know that all things are possible for you. Grant me a meek and humble heart so that I may serve your Kingdom and your people.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Prideful King of Tyre: The Book of Ezekiel, which we have been reading for over a week, deals with Ezekiel’s ministry before and after the fall of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. The prophecies of Ezekiel 1-24 are prophecies of judgment directed primarily to Israel and concern Ezekiel’s ministry before the fall of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. Chapters 33-39 deal with Ezekiel’s ministry after the fall. Nestled between these two sections are eight chapters (25-32) of prophecies against Gentile nations like Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt. Today, in the First Reading, Ezekiel foretells the ruin of Tyre. The Tyrian King, Ithobaal III, grew prideful, going so far as to think that he was a god and that he had the wisdom of a god. He grew wealthy and this only increased his pride. Because of his pride, Ezekiel says that he will be brought down by strangers and foreigners. In fact, after laying siege to Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar II, the King of Babylon, attacked and laid siege to Tyre for 13 years, beginning in 586 or 585 B.C.

2. The Reversal of Fortunes:  In her Magnificat, Mary will sing about how God humbles the prideful and raises up the lowly: “He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away” (Luke 1:51-53). Jesus today remarks how hard it is for those who are rich to enter the kingdom of God. The King of Tyre grew in wealth and pride and forgot that he was dependent on God, his Creator and Lord. Instead of possessing divine wisdom, he fell into foolishness. He stored up treasure on earth and forgot to store up true treasure in heaven. 

3. The Example of the Apostles: Peter and the other Apostles, in contrast to the King of Tyre, have left everything to follow Jesus. They were given a share in Christ’s royal authority. Jesus assures them that their sacrifices will not go unrewarded. They will receive a hundredfold in this life and, what is more, the gift of eternal life. Jesus’ last saying can be interpreted in this light. The rich young man, who refused to sell his possessions and give to the poor and went away sad, seemed to be among the first in this world but was actually among the last. The Apostles, who were considered among the last in this world, and left everything behind, were actually first in the Kingdom of heaven. This is because the Kingdom of Heaven is a kingdom that belongs to the poor in spirit and not those attached to material wealth.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, teach me to be meek and humble of heart like you. I am tempted to exalt myself in pride, but I know that that is not the right path. The way of humility is the way of truth. Help me to see myself as I truly am – as a child of God and as a servant of others.

Living the Word of God: Am I rich and haughty or poor and humble? Do I trust in my wealth or in God, my savior? Am I detached from material things or do I spend most of my time thinking about what I have? How can I change things to follow Christ more closely?