Rich and Righteous

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine the obstacles that restrain our generosity and action to care for others.

Resources and Righteousness 

The Reading from the Book of Judges describes the Call of Gideon.

* [6:16] I will be with you: narratives telling how the Lord commissions someone for a task depict the person’s reactions of reluctance, confusion, or sense of inadequacy, and the Lord’s reassurance (“I will be with you”), sometimes accompanied by a sign (cf. Ex 3:12; Jer 1:8). Lk 1:28–37 is modeled on this pattern.

* [6:19] Ephah: see note on Is 5:10.

* [6:22] Ancient Israel thought that seeing God face to face meant mortal danger, as Ex 33:20 indicates and as Gideon’s reaction here shows. Compare the reaction of Samson’s parents (13:22–23) when they realize they have been conversing with the Lord.

* [6:24] Yahweh-shalom: a reference to the Lord’s words, “You are safe” (v. 23), lit., “Peace be to you!” (Judges, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 85 proclaims God will be active on their behalf.

* [Psalm 85] A national lament reminding God of past favors and forgiveness (Ps 85:2–4) and begging for forgiveness and grace now (Ps 85:5–8). A speaker represents the people who wait humbly with open hearts (Ps 85:9–10): God will be active on their behalf (Ps 85:11–13). The situation suggests the conditions of Judea during the early postexilic period, the fifth century B.C.; the thoughts are similar to those of postexilic prophets (Hg 1:5–11; 2:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 85 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus declares that riches are an obstacle to entering the kingdom.

* [19:23–24] Riches are an obstacle to entering the kingdom that cannot be overcome by human power. The comparison with the impossibility of a camel’s passing through the eye of a needle should not be mitigated by such suppositions as that the eye of a needle means a low or narrow gate. The kingdom of God: as in Mt 12:28; 21:31, 43 instead of Matthew’s usual kingdom of heaven.

* [19:25–26] See note on Mk 10:23–27.

* [19:28] This saying, directed to the Twelve, is from Q; see Lk 22:29–30. The new age: the Greek word here translated “new age” occurs in the New Testament only here and in Ti 3:5. Literally, it means “rebirth” or “regeneration,” and is used in Titus of spiritual rebirth through baptism. Here it means the “rebirth” effected by the coming of the kingdom. Since that coming has various stages (see notes on Mt 3:2; 4:17), the new age could be taken as referring to the time after the resurrection when the Twelve will govern the true Israel, i.e., the church of Jesus. (For “judge” in the sense of “govern,” cf. Jgs 12:8, 9, 11; 15:20; 16:31; Ps 2:10). But since it is connected here with the time when the Son of Man will be seated on his throne of glory, language that Matthew uses in Mt 25:31 for the time of final judgment, it is more likely that what the Twelve are promised is that they will be joined with Jesus then in judging the people of Israel.

* [19:30] Different interpretations have been given to this saying, which comes from Mk 10:31. In view of Matthew’s associating it with the following parable (Mt 20:1–15) and substantially repeating it (in reverse order) at the end of that parable (Mt 20:16), it may be that his meaning is that all who respond to the call of Jesus, at whatever time (first or last), will be the same in respect to inheriting the benefits of the kingdom, which is the gift of God. (Matthew, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB, n.d.)

Barbara Dilly reflects today about the signs that the Lord is with us.

Still, I can’t help but think that trusting in God to deliver is only half of the human story. It is what we want God to deliver that is the problem. Most of us want something other than what God promises to provide us. We want earthly riches, power, and recognition of it all more than we want peace and justice and eternal life. We really think we can enjoy wealth and power more than we can peace and justice. The Gospel story for today reveals that Jesus understood that. 

So the other half of the human story is about our desiring to follow Jesus. But that too is not all up to us….Jesus reminds us that it is impossible for our desires to be made perfect without God. For the sake of the name of Jesus we do our best, but we must rely on God to be with us to stay on track. So today, and every day, we can stop to pray at work in gratitude for the Lord’s presence.  Just listen for the angel saying, “The Lord is with you, O champion!” Then we can get our priorities straight and get back to work….God’s work. (Dilly, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Who can enter the kingdom of heaven?” by John Chrysostom, 347-407 A.D.

"What then did Christ say? 'How difficult it will be for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.' He was not criticizing money itself but the wills of those who are taken captive by it. If it will be difficult for the rich, how much more so for the avaricious! For if stinginess with one's own wealth is an impediment to gaining the kingdom, think how much fire is amassed for taking someone else's. But why does he say that it is hard for the rich man to enter the kingdom, to the disciples, who were poor and had nothing? He teaches them not to be ashamed of their poverty and, as it were, gives the reason why he did not allow them to possess anything. After saying it is hard, he also shows them that it is impossible, and not simply impossible but even in an exaggerated way impossible. He shows this from the comparison of the camel and the needle: 'It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.' Hence Christ demonstrates that there is a significant reward for the wealthy who can practice self-denial. He also said that this had to be the work of God, that he might show that great grace is needed for anyone who is going to achieve it." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 63.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 19:23-30 comments the only reason Jesus spoke so forcefully about money is that he knew how strong a force it exerts on us.

Is there something in your life that, if taken away from you, might make you wince? Is there something that preoccupies your mind and heart so much that it obscures your devotion to the Lord? If so, sit quietly before the Lord and picture yourself placing it into Jesus’ hands. If this isn’t easy, know that he is patient. Just give him as much as you can. He will always meet you in that act of surrender and fill whatever space you have opened up in your heart. St. John of the Cross once said, “To possess everything, desire to possess nothing.” So let Jesus give you “everything”—his very self!

“Jesus, help me to treasure you above everything else!” (Meditation on Matthew 19:23-30, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today. The Judges' reading tells of the call of Gideon to save the people from the Midianites. God promises to be with Gideon through a messenger. The Gospel of Matthew follows the disappointment of the rich young man. The “eye of the needle” was compared to a Jerusalem gate but Friar Jude suggests Jesus was referring to a real camel and a real needle. Friar Jude notes that Jesus' promise to Peter is not the “Gospel of Wealth”.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces somatic therapist and healer Prentis Hemphill who explores how curiosity and openness to emotions allows us to access their wisdom.

Feeling and connection bring us into the world and into relationship with one another. Some things seem too big to be felt alone because they are. They require the collective to hold the space for big feeling, for it to move through, and to remind us that we’re not alone…. This is why we meet in the streets. As much as mass protests and direct action are about putting strategic pressure on opposition, they are often a gathering space for our grief and pain because they are too big to feel alone. Protests don’t get reported on this way, as an eruption of collective grief; on the news they are riots, and we begin the cycle of minimizing the feelings that bring people to the streets, and ultimately we miss the message. We need those spaces and others, too, where our grief can swell, where feeling for feeling’s sake can reconstitute us, where our empathy for one another can build. A community, a society, becomes one, remains one, I think, through sharing feeling. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to enlighten us to the negative consequences of attachments we have to property, power, and privilege that impede our piety, study, and action as followers of Jesus.

References

Dilly, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved August 19, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-august-20-2013 

Judges, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 19, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/judges/6?11 

Matthew, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 19, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/19?23 

Meditation on Matthew 19:23-30. (n.d.). The Word Among Us. Retrieved August 19, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/08/19/1358896/ 

Psalms, PSALM 85 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 19, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/85?9 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Feeling for Collective Healing. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 19, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/feeling-for-collective-healing/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Who Can Enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 19, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=aug19 

Peace and Possessions

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to accept the prompting of the Spirit to reject the influences that impair our vision of the Way of Peace.

Consider the Narrow Gate

The reading from the Book of Judges describes the calling of Gideon.

* [6:16] I will be with you: narratives telling how the Lord commissions someone for a task depict the person’s reactions of reluctance, confusion, or sense of inadequacy, and the Lord’s reassurance (“I will be with you”), sometimes accompanied by a sign (cf. Ex 3:12; Jer 1:8). Lk 1:28–37 is modeled on this pattern.

* [6:19] Ephah: see note on Is 5:10.

* [6:22] Ancient Israel thought that seeing God face to face meant mortal danger, as Ex 33:20 indicates and as Gideon’s reaction here shows. Compare the reaction of Samson’s parents (13:22–23) when they realize they have been conversing with the Lord.

* [6:24] Yahweh-shalom: a reference to the Lord’s words, “You are safe” (v. 23), lit., “Peace be to you!” (Judges, CHAPTER 6, n.d.)

Psalm 96 offers Praise to God Who comes in judgement.

* [Psalm 85] A national lament reminding God of past favors and forgiveness (Ps 85:2–4) and begging for forgiveness and grace now (Ps 85:5–8). A speaker represents the people who wait humbly with open hearts (Ps 85:9–10): God will be active on their behalf (Ps 85:11–13). The situation suggests the conditions of Judea during the early postexilic period, the fifth century B.C.; the thoughts are similar to those of postexilic prophets (Hg 1:5–11; 2:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 85, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus describes difficulties for the Rich.

* [19:16–30] Cf. Mk 10:17–31. This story does not set up a “two-tier” morality, that of those who seek (only) eternal life (Mt 19:16) and that of those who wish to be perfect (Mt 19:21). It speaks rather of the obstacle that riches constitute for the following of Jesus and of the impossibility, humanly speaking, for one who has many possessions (Mt 19:22) to enter the kingdom (Mt 19:24). Actual renunciation of riches is not demanded of all; Matthew counts the rich Joseph of Arimathea as a disciple of Jesus (Mt 27:57). But only the poor in spirit (Mt 5:3) can enter the kingdom and, as here, such poverty may entail the sacrifice of one’s possessions. The Twelve, who have given up everything (Mt 19:27) to follow Jesus, will have as their reward a share in Jesus’ (the Son of Man’s) judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Mt 19:28), and all who have similarly sacrificed family or property for his sake will inherit eternal life (Mt 19:29).

* [19:16] Gain eternal life: this is equivalent to “entering into life” (Mt 19:17) and “being saved” (Mt 19:25); the life is that of the new age after the final judgment (see Mt 25:46). It probably is also equivalent here to “entering the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 19:23) or “the kingdom of God” (Mt 19:24), but see notes on Mt 3:2; 4:17; 18:1 for the wider reference of the kingdom in Matthew. (Matthew, CHAPTER 19, n.d.)

Ed Morse comments that like Gideon, our Lord calls us to respond in faith to the reality of the “not yet”.  Remember that things are not always as they seem! Many who think they are first will be last, and vice versa.

What is the foundation for this faith?  It is not our subjective will, putting your head down and “fake it ‘till you make it”.   Faith comes from the objective reality of the nurturing graces that flow to us through the church, the sacraments, and prayer – our own as well as the prayers of others.  Those now living and those who have passed into the cloud of witnesses are helping us in ways we do not understand.  Our Blessed Mother is among them.

From time to time, our wills may become weakened and weary.  But do not fear. Grace is real.  Pray for one another, seek the prayers of others including the saints, and be nurtured regularly by the sacraments.  Thanks be to God. (Morse, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “Who can enter the kingdom of heaven?” by John Chrysostom, 347-407 A.D.

"What then did Christ say? 'How difficult it will be for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.' He was not criticizing money itself but the wills of those who are taken captive by it. If it will be difficult for the rich, how much more so for the avaricious! For if stinginess with one's own wealth is an impediment to gaining the kingdom, think how much fire is amassed for taking someone else's. But why does he say that it is hard for the rich man to enter the kingdom, to the disciples, who were poor and had nothing? He teaches them not to be ashamed of their poverty and, as it were, gives the reason why he did not allow them to possess anything. After saying it is hard, he also shows them that it is impossible, and not simply impossible but even in an exaggerated way impossible. He shows this from the comparison of the camel and the needle: 'It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.' Hence Christ demonstrates that there is a significant reward for the wealthy who can practice self-denial. He also said that this had to be the work of God, that he might show that great grace is needed for anyone who is going to achieve it." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 63.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Judges 6:11-24 comments that the Lord told Gideon that the key to success was not his own qualifications but God’s presence with him. That’s what would make him confident. When our hope wavers, we can recall that the Lord is with us, too. He has called us to follow him and to be his saving presence in the world. It’s his grace and power that can make things better.

Today, if the problems surrounding you seem unsolvable, learn from Gideon: trust in God’s grace, use the gifts you have, and be a champion!

“Lord God, thank you for calling me and equipping me to make a difference.” (Meditation on Judges 6:11-24, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that Gideon is called as one of the judges of Israel, a leader of the army and people called characteristically. Jesus continues to consider the encounter with the Rich Young Man and the sense that the rich control their own destiny with their resources. Friar Jude notes the existence of the narrow gate in the wall of Jerusalem and the frequent use of “Jewish exaggeration” in Jesus teaching. Finally, we are created by God to serve others in the Way of Jesus.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, teaches that restorative justice is not about denying harm, but about speaking truth in the service of forgiveness. Jesus, many mystics, and other wisdom traditions—such as the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous—show that sin and failure are, in fact, an opportunity for the transformation and enlightenment of the offender.

Only mutual apology, healing, and forgiveness offer a sustainable future for humanity. Otherwise, we are controlled by the past, individually and corporately. We all need to apologize and we all need to forgive or this human project will surely self-destruct. No wonder almost two-thirds of Jesus’ teaching is directly or indirectly about forgiveness. Otherwise, history devolves into taking sides, bitterness, holding grudges, and the violence that inevitably follows. As others have said, “Forgiveness is to let go of our hope for a different past.” Reality is what it is, and such acceptance leads to great freedom, as long as there is also both accountability and healing forgiveness.  (Rohr, 2023)

Our anxiety over our material possessions can obscure the gift of peace we are offered as servants of the Love of Christ.

References

Judges, CHAPTER 6. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/judges/6?11 

Matthew, CHAPTER 19. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/19?23 

Meditation on Judges 6:11-24. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved August 22, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/08/22/765119/ 

Morse, E. (2023, August 22). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved August 22, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/082223.html 

Psalms, PSALM 85. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/85?9 

Rohr, R. (2023, August 22). Truth and Reconciliation — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/truth-and-reconciliation-2023-08-22/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Who Can Enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 22, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=aug22