Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: August 20, 2024

Date: Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time/ Memorial of St. Bernard

Scripture Text:  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."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today from Matthew recounts Jesus’ teaching to the disciples on wealth following his encounter with the rich young man who was saddened when asked to sell everything and follow Jesus. Jesus’ words don’t judge wealth as evil but warn of us of its power to erode our spiritual resolve. Jesus’ words evoke a question, “What will there be for us?” This question by Peter recalling all they’d sacrificed to follow Jesus, allows Jesus to assure them that their reward would be “eternal life.” Then Jesus speaks the familiar proverb, “the first will be last, and the last will be first.” In it He reminds us all that earthly values such as wealth don’t matter in the Kingdom of God, rather humble loving kindness and faithfulness matter with the LORD.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

If another watched me, what would they deem to be my values from my words and actions?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, I come before You this day aware that I am only because of You and your love. In my realization comes humility and the desire to live the life You have given me in a manner worthy of your gift. You call me to live a life bestowed and governed by love. Help me always and everywhere to remember that love and to draw upon it. Grant that I may live as the one You created me to be, as the disciple You call me to be, as one gifted and graced by You for life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.