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Gospel Reading for August 18, 2026 – Matthew 19: 23-30
UNATTAINABLE
Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. 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.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible,but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
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Of course, it will be difficult for one who is rich or who enjoys a very comfortable and luxurious life to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, because to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we need to give up many things that we may find difficult to part with.
But just because it is difficult does not mean it is UNATTAINABLE. We always have a choice: Temporal Life or Eternal Life? The practical choice would be the latter if we realize that life is fleeting and that everything we have or have acquired does not go with us when we leave this earth.
Living life to the fullest is not about having everything or anything we want in life. Living life to the fullest means living a life with the purpose of being of service to humankind in every way we can. It means living our life according to the purpose of the One who has given us life.
Lord Jesus, we pray that we may be among those who will inherit eternal life and experience everlasting happiness with God. Amen.
