Reading of the Word of God
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
You are a chosen race,
a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people acquired by God
to proclaim his marvellous works.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Matthew 19,23-30
Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'In truth I tell you, it is hard for someone rich to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Yes, I tell you again, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone rich to enter the kingdom of Heaven.' When the disciples heard this they were astonished. 'Who can be saved, then?' they said. Jesus gazed at them. 'By human resources', he told them, 'this is impossible; for God everything is possible.' Then Peter answered and said, 'Look, we have left everything and followed you. What are we to have, then?' Jesus said to them, 'In truth I tell you, when everything is made new again and the Son of man is seated on his throne of glory, you yourselves will sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or land for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times as much, and also inherit eternal life. 'Many who are first will be last, and the last, first.'
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
You will be holy,
because I am holy, thus says the Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
The rich young man just went away sad. He preferred to stay with his wealth rather than leave it and follow Jesus. His possessions are closer to his heart than this teacher. Immediately afterwards, Jesus turns to the disciples and - with a bit of sadness at not having convinced the young man - reveals that it is difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus does not say that it is impossible. He does not argue in a Manichean way that wealth is evil. Nonetheless, it is a condition that easily leads to greed, that makes avarice more comfortable, that makes it easier to forget others, and that favours an attachment to material things. To help people understand this difficulty he gives a truly incredible example: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." It is a thought-provoking exaggeration, and the disciples immediately react: "Then who can be saved?" This question should resound more loudly in a world in one of highest priorities is to seek after material possessions with determination and at any cost. Jesus has already warned his disciples repeatedly that they cannot serve God and Mammon, that is, money (Mt 6:24). Unfortunately, in today's society money, wealth, and possessions have become idols that demand total dedication. And it is easy to sacrifice life itself on their altars. It seems impossible for a rich person to be saved. But Jesus immediately adds: "For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible." Faith and complete trust in God move the human heart from trying to possess to trusting in God completely. Peter begins to understand and asks what those who abandon everything and entrust themselves to God will receive. Jesus offers an extraordinary response that demonstrates God's generosity towards those who entrust themselves to Him: they will receive in this life a hundred times what they left behind. This is to say that he or she will be surrounded by brothers and sisters and their fraternity will cover him or her with love. And after death, eternal life. It is the opposite of what is commonly believed. The Gospel takes nothing away; rather it enriches life, both in this world and after.
Het gebed is het hart van het leven van de Gemeenschap van Sant’Egidio. Het is haar eerste “werk”. Aan het einde van de dag komt elke Gemeenschap, of die nu klein of groot is, samen bij de Heer om het Woord te beluisteren en zich tot Hem te richten in het gebed. De leerlingen kunnen niet anders dan aan de voeten van Jezus zitten, zoals Maria van Bethanië, om het “betere deel” te kiezen (Lc 10, 42) en van Hem zijn gezindheid te leren (vgl. Fil 2, 5).
Elke keer dat de Gemeenschap zich tot de Heer richt, maakt ze zich die vraag eigen van de anonieme leerling: “Heer, leer ons bidden!” (Lc 11, 1). En Jezus, meester in het gebed, antwoordt: “Wanneer jullie bidden, zeg dan: Abba, Vader”.
Wanneer we bidden, ook in de geslotenheid van ons eigen hart, zijn we nooit alleen of verweesd. Integendeel, we zijn leden van de familie van de Heer. In het gemeenschappelijk gebed wordt naast het mysterie van het kindschap, ook dat van de broederschap en zusterschap duidelijk.
De Gemeenschappen van Sant’Egidio, verspreid over de wereld, verzamelen zich op de verschillende plaatsen die gekozen zijn voor het gebed en brengen de hoop en het verdriet van de “uitgeputte en hulpeloze mensenmenigte” waarover het Evangelie spreekt (Mt 9, 37) bij de Heer. Deze oude menigte omvat de inwoners van onze hedendaagse steden, de armen die zich bevinden in de marge van het leven, en iedereen die wacht om als dagloner te worden aangenomen (vgl. Mt 20).
Het gemeenschappelijk gebed verzamelt de schreeuw, de hoop, het verlangen naar vrede, genezing, zin en redding, die beleefd worden door de mannen en vrouwen van deze wereld. Het gebed is nooit leeg. Het stijgt onophoudelijk op naar de Heer opdat verdriet verandert in vreugde, wanhoop in blijheid, angst in hoop, eenzaamheid in gemeenschap. En het rijk Gods zal spoedig temidden van de mensen komen.
