DAILY HOMILIES #eye of a needle

The truth that with God all things are possible shines out again in today’s First Reading. An Angel of God addressed Gideon as a “mighty man of valour.” Gideon did not believe it until he saw a sign. Gideon was the least in his family, and his clan was the weakest in Israel, yet God chose him to save Israel. Relying on our strength, we are powerless, but all things are possible with God.

The Price of heaven is simple: Keep God’s commandments. This was Jesus’ instruction to the rich man Last Sunday. The second step is detachment. The entrance into heaven is like the “Eye of a Needle.” We cannot pass through this gate with our luggage. Today, Jesus mentions a third step – the sacrifice of one’s very life for the good of others. Jesus asked James and John, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or to be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised?” (Mark 10:38).

Just as Jesus said that with God, all things are possible, the Angel said to Gideon: “But I will be with you, and you shall smite the Midianites as one man.” That is to say, if we are to depend on ourselves, we are nothing but if we have God on our side, nothing will be too hard for us.