Gospel in Art: 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

Camel (Albino) Contemplating Needle (Large), by John Baldessari © Beyer Projects, New York

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 16 August 2022
Matthew 19:23-30

Jesus said to his disciples, 'I tell you solemnly, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Yes, I tell you again, 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.' When the disciples heard this they were astonished. 'Who can be saved, then?' they said. Jesus gazed at them. 'For men' he told them 'this is impossible; for God everything is possible.'

Then Peter spoke. 'What about us?' he said to him 'We have left everything and followed you. What are we to have, then?' Jesus said to him, 'I tell you solemnly, when all is made new and the Son of Man sits on his throne of glory, you will yourselves sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or land for the sake of my name will be repaid a hundred times over, and also inherit eternal life.

'Many who are first will be last, and the last, first.'

Reflection on the Sculpture

Our contemporary artwork by John Baldessari depicts a life-size white camel made of fiberglass, staring in puzzlement at the eye of an oversize shiny needle. It is a direct reference to today's Gospel reading where Jesus talks about the difficulty the wealthy have in entering the kingdom of heaven. John Baldessari was an American conceptual artist, who died only two years ago, known for his work featuring mainly photography and paintings.

In yesterday's gospel reading we heard about how the rich young man walked away sad when he was suggested to sell all he had. Jesus goes on to say in today's reading that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of kingdom of heaven. When he heard how astonished the disciples were, Jesus went on to explain himself further, making the main point that the attaining of salvation is primarily God's doing rather than our doing! Even if we sell everything, it still doesn't guarantee anything. Ultimately, it is God who will decide who will be saved. So all we can do here in this life, is to depend fully on God in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. If we seek our consolation in wealth or possessions, we will cease to rely on God…. God who alone can give us salvation.

LINKS

Christian Art: https://christian.art/
Today's image: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-19-23-30-2022/