In the Gospel Jesus tells us how hard it is for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God. What a strange thing to say. Don’t we all strive for material well being? Our culture certainly tells us that wealth, status, and power are the most important things in life.
I recently heard an interview with a person who immigrated here from a very poor county in Central America. This person said they were very glad to be here and to have enough food and clothing and good shelter and a chance to learn and work but they also said it seemed as though people here were lonely in a profound way in spite of our busyness and activity. In some ways people here seemed unconnected to each other. They missed a sense of real community.
In poor countries people just don’t have things to keep them entertained and busy and distracted from the realities of life. They only have each other and they know that without each other and without the help of God they will not survive.
I wonder if this is part of what Jesus meant when he said that it was hard for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of god. Sometimes the more money and material possession we have the more ways we have of running away from God and blocking out his voice. Being able to control and manipulate our things gives us a false sense of power and self sufficiency.
Jesus tells us many times and in many ways that loving God and each other is what brings us to the kingdom of God. It is the only real wealth there is.
Peace.
Mary