Last Will Be First

Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, 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.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’ Then Peter said in reply, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. Matthew 19:23-30

We live in a time of great conflicts and great gaps in society. We have great wealth in America but it is not evenly distributed, we have grand houses and yet so many lack decent housing and the amount of people who are food insecure is on the rise. Some have so much, and many have so little. Jesus was reflected on an individual who came to him, who was very wealthy and who despaired at Jesus direction for him to give his wealth away. We are called, in this season, to see the needs around us, and to respond, not out of pity or sympathy, but instead to be those who are willing to give up so others might live.

Loving Creator, source of all goodness

we know your blessings and your love

we live in an abundant and bounteous land

where there should be no hunger and pain.

Yet here we are in the holiday season

so aware of the needs around us and so afraid

to share, to welcome and to be generous

since we are fearful and worried always.

Loosen our hearts and our purse strings

help us to get to the back of the line

so others might receive abundance and blessing

and we too, might know our loss as great gain. Amen.