Rich people are going to hell

That is what it sounds like in today's Gospel (Mark 10:17-30).

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.

But as I have often said, it is dangerous for us to think that any warning in Scripture applies only to people other than ourselves: in this case, those rich people over there, not me.

The truth is that even poor people are not free from danger: even someone who has few possessions might be more focused on them than focused on what is right and godly.

Rich or poor, we are all at risk.

To be sure, we must be prudent when it comes to material possessions and if we are personally responsible for the welfare of particular individuals, we cannot shirk that responsibility, but we must be very careful not to rationalize selfishness.

Moreover, the maxim "where much is given, much is required" (Luke 12:48) should be a serious warning for all of us blessed with material goods.

And for those who are not personally responsible for the welfare of particular individuals, it would be good to listen whether the Lord is calling us to the powerful witness of evangelical poverty, as he does in today’s Gospel.

Jesus, looking at him,
loved him
and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven;
then come, follow me."

....Peter began to say to him,
"We have given up everything and followed you."

Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you,
there is no one who has given up
house or brothers or sisters
or mother or father or children or lands
for my sake and for the sake of the gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more
now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters
and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions,
and eternal life in the age to come."