In some parts of
Africa, to capture monkeys alive, the natives employ a strategy which consists of
putting fruit into a calabash. This calabash is then fixed in an attractive way
on a tree visited by the monkeys. Attracted by the bait, the monkey inserts its
hands in the calabash and seizes the fruit. He does not realize he must open
his hands and abandon his booty before he can withdraw it from the calabash. Due
to its foolish greed, it would rather be caught by the natives than let go of its prize.
In the gospel
(Mt19:23-30), Jesus said "Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who
is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. 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." Those rich in material possession have so much on their hands that
are not necessary for the Kingdom of God. One must not cling to the power and
allurements of this world but must rely on God alone. Camels find it difficult
to pass through the holes on the walls of the city in the evenings (this is
what they call needle) should they become too fat or saddled with excessive
accessories on their back. And so it is for us. We shall find it difficult to
enter heaven if we remain focused on the things of this world and preoccupied
with worldly businesses. Who would need gold or silver in heaven?
God alone
suffices. As we cease being attached to our properties and belongings, we set
ourselves free from the trap of this world and live in the presence of God. In
doing so, we assume the identity He intends for us; His children created in his
image and likeness. St. Bernard of Clairvaux said: “What we love we shall grow
to resemble.” Should we love money, cars, pieces of jewelry, we might begin to
look like Ninoy or Abad-Santos, or our skin may begin to turn yellow like that
of gold. Whom do we love? To whom do we cling to?
What makes us
hesitant from letting go of this world and embracing the Lord; from relying
solely on the Divine Providence? Loss of security and comforts, hunger,
deprivation of necessities? But the Lord provides more than what we need. In
the story of Gideon, the Lord made His presence manifest before Gideon by
consuming his offering through an instantaneous fire. Perhaps disturbed by the
mission given to him and knowing his limited resources in comparison with the
Lord's enemies, Gideon may have been in distress. The Lord soothed him saying:
"Be calm, do not fear. You shall not die." As one detaches oneself
from the powers and riches of this world and clings solely to God, one begins
to truly live, being in the presence of God. We shall not die should we let go
of the baits of this world. The Lord gives us Shalom that is peace,
harmony, wholeness, completeness, and tranquility.
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