Image by Konevi from Pixabay

“Attachment is the state of clinging that comes from the false belief that something or someone is necessary for your happiness.” – Anthony De Mello

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Matthew 19:23-24

Then 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.”

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How shocking this was for Jesus’ followers to hear this!

But it’s really quite simple.

Jesus is not talking about a final reward, although what’s true now is always true…even when your physical death occurs.

It will still be now at that time.

God’s love for the rich person is just as complete and unconditional as it is for the poor person, both now and always.

But while God is always pouring Love (God’s very self) out to us, we are many times too preoccupied to notice.

The more we have to be preoccupied with, the more closed we are to God’s grace.

Jesus uses both the terms “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” in today’s scripture (at least in the English translation).

Jesus was talking about now, the present moment, as the entry point into this kingdom.

As I have pointed out before, in today’s world, a better understanding of kingdom of heaven would be the loving realm of spaciousness and freedom.

This is not a place but a state-of-being.

It is when you are consciously present and awake to God’s presence, Love itself.

For this to happen, you must let go of all attachments, all the allures that addictively draw our thoughts.

When a person is rich, there are many bright and shiny attractions.

Such a person is hard-pressed to let go of these things in order to pay attention to the present moment, not to mention the needs of the poor.

(Of course, some rich people are quite generous and not so attached to their riches, but I’m thinking they are in the minority.)

You have to chuckle at the funny example Jesus gives about a camel passing through the eye of a needle.

His words were meant to shock his listeners awake then, as they are now.

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Listen to the song of the day “Breathe On Me” on the Listen to Your Heart album by clicking HERE.

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Remember: God loves you!