Jesus accused the Pharisees of straining out the gnat and swallowing the camel. Elsewhere, Jesus said it was easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Mt 19:24). Both times Jesus used the camel as a means to spotlight a ridiculous lifestyle.
Jesus castigated the Pharisees for traveling many miles to convert a person and then making this person into twice the devil that they previously were (Mt 23:15). Jesus tried to shock them into seeing that this effort is ridiculous. Why travel so far and work so hard to end up swallowing a camel?
People still walk miles to swallow camels today. For example, many ignore their spouse and children, slaving for decades to save money – only to lose their retirement in the stock market or in paying off the nursing home (Hg 1:6). Why spend your life to end up in dissatisfaction? (Is 55:2) Why work so hard to end up in hell? (Lk 12:16-21) It's hard to swallow!
How much better it is to let go and let God! (Ps 46:11). If we seek first the kingdom of God on His terms and let His will be done in us, the Father will provide all we need (Mt 6:33-34). "It is vain for you to rise early, or put off your rest, you that eat hard-earned bread, for He gives to His beloved in sleep" (Ps 127:2).
| PRAYER: | Father, I will spend the rest of my life devoted to Your will rather than on my own desires (1 Pt 4:2-3). |
| PROMISE: | "We drew courage from our God to preach His good tidings to you in the face of great opposition." –1 Thes 2:2 |
| PRAISE: | St. Augustine gave up his mistress, his hedonism, and his useless philosophizing and found total fulfillment in serving his Lord. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College