Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Judges 6:11-24a; Psalm 85:9, 11-12, 13-14; Matthew 19:23-30
Summary
The LORD said to Gideon: By means of the three hundred who lapped up the water I will save you and deliver Midian into your power. So let all the other soldiers go home (Jg 7:7). 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 looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” (MT 19:24, 26)
The Call of Gideon and the Defeat of Midian is a compelling story in the ‘impossible of God’. In the gospel portion today, again we have the impossible of God. Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich so that by his poverty you might become rich (2 Cor 8:9).
Worldly riches were thought to be a sign of favor of God. Jesus says otherwise. When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” (MT 19:25).
Reflection
We often describe things as impossible. Even God sometimes is thought to be limited by the impossible.
Nevertheless, the Lord proved to Gideon that he can defeat the Midian with an absurd selection process of how a person drinks water, and only 300 at that! Jesus is gong about saving the human family with the aid of only 12 apostles.
Personal Reflection
I need to think in terms of the possible IN the Lord. All these problems (add your list here) can be solved with the faith of 12 or 300 selected by their lack of skill in the first instance and odd water lapping in the second instance. It isn’t us, it’s his power and love that makes the difference.
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081925.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry