Who Can Be Saved?

“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.”…

“…Who can be saved?”

“For men it is impossible,

but not for God.

All things are possible for God” – Mark 10:25-27

Theologians and scripture scholars have ruminated and marveled over this apparent hyperbole used by the Lord in describing who can obtain the kingdom of God.  I have listened to people who took this scripture literally and led the ascetic lifestyle in search of holiness and eternity.  And I have heard others that preached the opposite.  However, I do not think that there is an interpretation that will satisfy all people.  But the readings for this Monday in Ordinary time is all about salvation.  

There is great peace and joy in the monastic or ascetic lifestyle.  But not everyone is called to that lifestyle.  Who can be saved and who can obtain entrance to the kingdom of God is a personal journey. Salvation depends on the Christian uniting their heart with Jesus' own heart and living joyfully, through sorrow, trial, and happiness.  

I am actually currently reading the Left Behind series by Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins.

 It is a masterfully crafted fictional tale of apocalyptic Christianity.  For the most part (aside from what I see as the major theological flaw and heresy in the idea of the Rapture) the stories are compelling tales of heroic virtue and inspire me to live with a greater urgency and pronounced witness to the crucified, and Risen, Christ.  Some of my friends mock these books and for some, they are dangerous pieces of literature in the cause for the fullness of truth.  But the Truth resides in Christ Jesus, and I believe (in accordance with His Church) that the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church holds the fullness of that Truth.  

**For the record:  I do not condemn or degrade any of my brothers and sisters who adopt the Rapture theology.  As Christians, as humans, our first and principal causal link is our Lord Jesus Christ.  I am friend to anybody and everybody who has a relationship and friendship with Jesus Christ.  The Lord invites us to dialogue with an ecumenical spirit and pray for His grace and peace and understanding to further the causes of the Lord and the causes of Church.  Particularly let us unite and remember the parable of the Sheep and the Goats, from the Gospel of Saint Matthew chapter 25, verses 31-46.**

The Church teaches that we are saved by the grace of God alone.  The notion is that the grace of God working in our lives is evidenced by faith and works.  However, it must be strongly cautioned that we cannot ‘faith’ or ‘work’ ourselves into Heaven.  The saving love of Christ has already done the work for us.  We are only asked to take and receive the Word of God and live obediently to His commands.  

Saint Peter gives an interesting insight into salvation in his letter to the new believers on the Way.  I believe that salvation is implied by Saint Peter by the mercy of God upon our souls.  This is theologically significant because the spiritual new birth in baptism effects the reception of the grace of God.  How it must have felt for those new believers in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia to hear the first Pope declare that they were “regenerated” by God “unto an incorruptible and undefiled and unfading inheritance, which is reserved for [them] in heaven.”  Following the commission of Christ, himself, with the authority of the Lord to forgive and retain sins, and Saint Peter’s status as Vicar of Christ on earth, the opening statement of his letter is simply overwhelming for me.  This is almost as overwhelming as it had to have been for the thief who told by Jesus that he would be in paradise that day with the Lord.  The thief’s promise for paradise followed his suffering on the cross, which Saint Peter also said for the new believers.  Their inheritance would follow their trials and sufferings.  

Who can be saved?  This is the question of the disciples.  The Lord tells them that it is very difficult for the rich man to enter the Kingdom of heaven.  “For men it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”  These are our Lord’s words.  I believe that the Lord is tell me that wealth is not relevant to salvation because material wealth will not follow us into heaven.  However, our treasure is stored in heaven.  Class and earthly station do not add to the dignity of the person.  But we can use our influence to preach the Word of God and Christ crucified and resurrected.  Let us open our hearts to the world of God and let him use us as his instruments to call the people to faith.  And we must exhibit with our lives our willingness to bear our crosses daily and to live a life of holiness.