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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Proper 23 Yr B
Reader comment (2024): An interesting story, as always. It directly parallel the concepts in the of the eye of the Needle, which is often taken to be literal when in fact, it refers to a place, similar to the caves you speak of. A part so intricate that while not impossible, is unlikely to happen. In all, much twisting an contorting must be performed for the camel and the rich man.
I feel it is all a matter of the heart. People who have would find it more beneficial to help others rather than amass wealth while there is also that issue on the opposing side that people who have wealth stored are in a better place to serve and build Gods kingdom, the more common situation is that they are found to be too proud to do what is necessary to pass through the eye just as the proud camel, not wanting to twist to the side and lean one hump over while the other remains straight just to get through…
Introduction
Introduction
Reading about the eye of a needle always evokes a memory. As a child, my parents would take a cross-country road trip every other year. On one of those trips, we stopped to enjoy the natural scenery (at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, I think). As part of our adventure, we took the "extra" tour through the cave, the one that most folks didn't explore (and I think is closed today). As we walked further and further into the cave, the passages became narrower and narrower, and the guide said it was the "eye of the needle". To complete the picture, I must tell you that my father was thin almost all of his life while my mother had a bit more meat on her. So as the passage narrowed, her concern grew while my dad was oblivious. And at one point, we were literally squishing against both sides of the passage to get through. So, how do we get through to the kingdom? We don't; it's impossible for us. But God reaches out and brings us into his kingdom. Wow! Feel free to comment.
Also, under "Brain Food" ("Have you been reading . . ." below), there is a very interesting discourse about "Eye of the needle". It will provide insight into your understanding of this concept. Comments welcome here too.
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 10:17-31
. . . Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” . . . “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 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.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”
From sermon4kids.com: “Heavenly Father, we are thankful that you are the God of the impossible. Without You, it would be impossible for any of us to get to heaven. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”
Scripture: October 13, 2024—Job 3:1-9, 16-17 (image); Psalm 22:1-15 (image); Amos 5:6-7,10-15 (image); Psalm 90:12-17 (image); Hebrews 4:12-16 (image); and Mark 10:17-31 (image).
Collect: Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Reflection: For the prophet Amos, the city gate (Amos 5:10, 12, 15) is a place of judgment: a place to discern and decide between good and evil, justice and injustice, righteousness and sin. Jesus has similar things to say about entrance into the kingdom of God (Mark 10:23–25): a difficult choice is required—letting go of privilege, power, and possessions. What have you left behind to follow Jesus? How would you describe what Bonhoeffer calls “the cost of discipleship”?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 2 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
A video/audio journey through the scripture.
Symbols of the Church
Symbols of the Church
The earliest English coronation form of the 9th century mentions a sceptre and a staff In the so-called coronation form of Æthelred the Unready, a sceptre and a rod appear, as they do also in the case of a coronation order of the 12th century. In a contemporary account of Richard I’s coronation, the royal sceptre of gold with a gold cross and the gold rod with a gold dove on the top, enter the historical record for the first time. About 1450, Sporley, a monk of Westminster, compiled a list of the relics there. These included the articles used at the coronation of Saint Edward the Confessor, and left by him for the coronations of his successors. A golden sceptre, a wooden rod gilt, and an iron rod are named. These survived until the Commonwealth, and are minutely described in an inventory of the regalia drawn up in 1649, when everything was destroyed.
For the coronation of Charles II of England, new sceptres with the Cross and the Dove were made, and though slightly altered, they are still in use today. Two sceptres for the queen consort, one with a cross and the other with a dove, have been subsequently added.
Excerpted from Christian symbols and their meanings website
Click here for a page of symbols described in this publication.
Images enhancing
the scripture
“To annihilate the self-hood of deceit and false forgiveness” by William Blake
“Eye of the needle” by Vladimir Kush
a page of “Eye of the needle” posters
Music founded
in the scripture
"Simple Kingdom" by Brian & Katie Torwit (lyrics here)
"Do the right thing" by Cobhams Asuquo/feat.Bez
"Ancient Words" sung by Michael Smith
Other voices
about the scripture
“Who can be saved” by Sharron R Blezard
"Camel through the eye of the needle? Or have you been reading the bible wrong?" by Benjamin L Corey
Eds note: This is a very interesting read.
Lying back on the unbelievably lush grass, he remembers: all those years (how excruciating they were!) of fasting and one-pointed concentration, until finally he was thin enough: thaumaturgically thin, thread-thin, almost unrecognizable in his camelness: until the moment in front of the unblinking eye, when he put his front hooves together.
Took one long last breath.
Aimed.
Dived.
The exception may prove the rule, but what proves the exception? “It is not that such things are possible,” the camel thinks, smiling. “But such things are possible for me.”
© Stephen Mitchell, Parables and Portraits
Movies representing some part of the scripture
“Men of honor” (2000, R), struggles of African-American in face of prejudice, obstacles to succeed, Review
“The Straight Story” (1999, G), “. . . slow journey to reconciliation . . .”, story of a man who wants to reconcile with his brother, Review
For families: Study guide and activities (another guide), group activity; snack—camels like to eat seeds, apples, carrots, oats . . . use your imagination (maybe sun flower seeds, granola oat bars… etc) and let your little “camels” eat some snacks like a camel might enjoy; kid video
For children: See family guide/activities (other activity one and two); bulletin
For middlers: See family guide/actuiviuties (other activity one and two); bulletin
For youth: For this week, let's focus on the lesson from Amos (read it here). Look particularly on these excerpts from the last verses: "Seek good and not evil, that you may live; . . . Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; . . ." Reflect on what "that you may live" in the first part means. For the latter part, note that hating evil and loving good establishes justice. What would the world look like today if this were practiced? Feel free to comment.
Coloring page (all ages): This week the focus is on Psalm 22.
In the themes of the Sundays in this part of the year, we face some of the strongest challenges presented by our faith. We have reached the portion of the Gospel of Mark in which Jesus, nearing the final conflict, is preparing his followers for what lies ahead, not only for him, but also for them in the remainder of their lives. So today’s Gospel is the account of the rich young man who discovers that there is more to salvation than following the Law. Jesus calls for a complete submission to God, even to the point of giving up everything. Only then can we gain what we really need.
Using Job: We continue to read the Book of Job. This good man has suffered tragedy, severe illness, and busybody friends full of useless advice. He has not lost his faith but is complaining that he can’t find God to ask why these things are happening. He believes that if he could understand God, he could understand.
Using Amos: The Old Testament reading from the prophet Amos presents a situation in which those who control Israel are so caught up in amassing personal wealth that they ignore the needs of the poor. That social injustice, God warns, will lead to the destruction of the society.
We are reading through the Epistle to the Hebrews during this period. This letter to early Christians presents Jesus as Savior, as high priest, and as the model for Christian living. In today’s passage the writer tells us that although God’s judgment lays all our failure open to God, we know that God’s response is that of the merciful high priest and therefore we may approach God with confidence.
Today’s liturgy is filled with challenge and with hope. We are faced with the demands of the Gospel and also with its promise of salvation to those who persevere. We are called to enter into the painful yet joyful project of God in bringing the kingdom into the lives of all people in our time.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
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