In today’s First Reading the Lord warns the rich man against becoming so enamored of his wealth that he grows conceited, with delusions of divinity and becoming an island with regard to others. The reality faced in Ezekiel’s time was that the wealth and security of the “prince of Tyre” were under threat and easily destroyed, along with the man’s very life, and all the money in the world wouldn’t spare him.
Our Lord in today’s Gospel is not exagerating when he says it is easier for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye that it is for someone rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. With wealth it seems like you have everything you could ever want, yet wealthly people many times are miserable even though they are surrounded by opulence. Their wealth can make them into islands, separating them from family and friends. Wealth is not bad on its own, but it always bears the risk of making you stop searching for the needs that money cannot buy.
Any business person will tell you it’s not a question of having money that determines success, but how wisely it is invested. Like any other creature it can separate you from God and from others or it can help you to draw closer to them. Ask Our Lord to help you review your balance sheet and see whether you’re investing in a good and holy life. The returns are out of this world.
Readings: Ezekiel 28:1–10; Deuteronomy 32:26–28, 30, 35c–36b; Matthew 19:23–30. See also 20th Week in Ordinary Time,Tuesday, 8th Week of Ordinary Time, Tuesday, Year II, and 8th Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday, Year I.