Entry to the Kingdom of Heaven and the Riches

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twentieth Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt 19:23-30*

*First Reading : Ez 28:1-10*

*Responsorial Psalm : Deuteronomy 32:26-27ab, 27cd-28, 30, 35cd-36ab*

*Entry to the Kingdom of Heaven and the Riches*

*1) Entry into Heaven*

In today's Gospel Jesus speaks about the aspect of entry into heaven 

Who can enter heaven? Is the common question which is asked by many at various occasions 

While answering this question, Jesus gives us a very important information about the link of Entry into heaven and the Riches 

How does the riches become block in the entry into heaven is the main topic of today's Gospel 

*2) Most loved thing, becomes a obstacle*

*Riches* are the most loved thing in this world by human beings 

In other words by and large human beings love the material possessions rather than anything else in this world

Such a lovable things becomes the hurdle in entering into the heaven

That's why Jesus warns about the riches of this world

*3) It will be hard for one who is rich*

Rich and Riches always go together

Jesus does not say that rich do not enter into heaven

But Jesus says it will be *hard* for the rich to enter into heaven

So even the rich can enter the Heaven, provided one is not attached to the worldly possessions

Hard means one has to make lots of efforts, one has to struggle a lot in entering the Heaven

*4) The problem with the Riches*

Worldly riches is not bad. It is a God's gift to the entire humankind 

Such riches become problem, when it is used for selfish purposes, when it is not shared with others, when one is too much involved in material possessions, it turns out to be hurdle than a blessing to enter into heaven

Our disposition towards the riches will decide whether wealth is a blessing or a hurdle? 

*5) Why Riches become hurdle to Rich?*

When a person becomes the rich, or one who has the desire to become rich, His?Her attitude matters a lot 

Usually the person who is addicted to the riches, forgets to honour God

God and spiritual things become secondary value and wealth is given the primary place 

Such an attitude becomes a hurdle to enter into heaven

*6) Hurdles on the entry to Heaven*

From the Gospel it is clear that for the rich the riches become the hurdle to enter into heaven

This does not mean that all poor will enter into heaven 

Like rich, poor people may be having some other hurdles to enter into heaven

In other words, all of us have various hurdles to enter into heaven

So, what are the hurdles which I encounter in my day today life, in entering into heaven?

Am I under the influence of the hurdles, which hinder my entry into heaven?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*