The eternal inheritance

Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
Daily readings: Ezekiel 28:1-10 & Gospel: Matthew 19:23-30

"And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life."

In the Gospel today, Jesus talks about the ways of entering 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." Jesus was not really against the wealthy. He was pointing out the fact that material wealth may hold us back. It is difficult for those who possess much to enter the kingdom of God because the temptation in front of us is so great, blocking us from coming closer to Him and preventing us from serving His people. This is a challenge for each one of us. So do we know how to face this challenge? Do we want to choose the path to enter God’s kingdom?

"For men, this is impossible, but all things are possible for God. A rich person can live a life for God’s glory."  With God, a self-righteous person can turn to a life of humility. With God's help, an ordinary person can do great things to proclaim the Good News. It does not matter if we are rich or poor. It does not matter what skin color we have. It does not matter where we are or which political party we belong to. The only matter is: what kind of Christian values do we bear in the name of God?

Let us prioritize the heavenly treasures, not the earthly ones, by choosing to live our days with humility and generosity. Let us invest in the prizes promised to us in heaven by showing our loving acts to one another and committing ourselves to serve Jesus and his people. Through this, we will receive the eternal inheritance waiting for us.