Tuesday 20th week Year A By Tobe Eze

Tuesday 20^th week Year A

First Reading

Judges 6:11-24a

Gospel

Matthew 19:23-30

THEME: THE DANGER OF RICHES

After a visitation in a Block Rosary Centre, a child stood up and asked me, “Brother, does God hate rich people?” I told the child no and she continued. “Why is it that God did not for once talk good about the rich in the Bible?” She cited many passages in the Bible favouring the poor and condemning the rich. I explained to her that it not physical richness or poverty but other aspects of being rich. Taking things that should not be as our small gods. But looking at the two readings, we can see reasons in what that little child asked me.

In the first reading, God after looking for the person that will deliver his people went to the least and the weakest tribe and family to pick Gideon, I think it is a sign of the love God has for the poor.

In the gospel, Jesus again repeated that it will be hard for the rich to enter heaven as if richness is now a sin. If I were to be there, I would have said the same as the apostles that no one will be saved either.

These are just human understanding of the rich. Many of us are rich in sins and that is what we are presented today that they will not allow us to enter heaven. A woman died, on her burial, she was lying in state and people were paying last respect. A mad young lady came, after seeing her shouted. Agnes! Agnes!! Agnes!!! Please when you go there, try to stop gossiping, committing adultery, and other things you were doing. Biko kwusi ha biko. She was very rich in those areas and the mad lady noticed that. We can tell ourselves the truth that there are places we are very rich and they are not healthy for our spiritual life, we should shun them and we shall be saved. Thanks.