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| The original Web still traps flies. |
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."
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
"Then who can be saved?"
than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
"Then who can be saved?"
Saint Mark says the disciples were exceedingly astonished at Jesus’ teaching about wealth. Clearly his teaching was counter-intuitive; it just didn’t make sense. Perhaps these Jewish men accepted their religious teaching about God’s affectionate regard for the poor; but that God might have an animus against the wealthy? How could that be? God had obviously favored the wealthy since the day they were born. Any fool could see that!
In our time we have a better understanding of economics, and of how a political/economic system can be jerry-rigged to favor certain classes, races and people. For over two hundred years we have watched elected officials manipulate political systems – gerrymandering school zones, townships, county lines and so forth – to favor this or that party. More recently we learn of English bankers who falsified data to control interest rates.
At one time people supposed the rich are rich because God favors them. You might remember from your high school history the divine right of kings to rule. Parties Christian, Jewish and Muslim often invoke the name of God in their quest for power. Likewise, even by some Christian religions, the poor are poor because God despises them. These religious arguments know little of the science of economics, and still believe that hard work ethic will reap this-worldly rewards.
Today we understand more clearly that the differences between wealth and poverty are entirely human constructs. Those who have the power use their power to keep it; those who don’t have the power will always struggle against heavy odds. We should also understand that those who have wealth, even enormous wealth, are blind to that injustice. They have a paralyzing fear of loss. When challenged they are likely to play the victim or class card as if they're trump cards. We talk a lot about fair play but everybody knows the game is rigged.
Jesus saw more clearly the peril in which the wealthy and the powerful live because he had a very personal and very deep knowledge of God. He knew that God’s eye is on the sparrow, the least among us. His metaphor of the camel and the needle's eye is not an outright condemnation of wealth and its managers; and our Church history remembers saintly aristocrats who truly cared for the poor. Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and Saint Louis the King knew precisely the worth of money and its proper usage.
Jesus, as Saint Paul said, became poor that we might be rich (Cor 8:9). Those who follow in his steps rank highest in his eyes.
To seek wealth is to seek security. In our society we want security, not dependence on anyone or anything. Perhaps Jesus knew that the rich, young man had his security in his possessions and in following all the rules. I do think God wants us to know that He is in charge. Now if only I could remember that minute to minute.
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