As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
knelt down before him, and asked him,
“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother.”
He replied and said to him,
“Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” 
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
“You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
At that statement, his face fell, 
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
“How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the Kingdom of God!”
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
“Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God!
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.”
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
“Then who can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God.”  Mk 10:17-27

Is Jesus picking on the rich?  Not at all.  It is true that money changes people, but people can control their money instead of letting their money control them.  They have a choice.  First, it is impossible for us to enter heaven.  We have inherited a fallen human nature and we are sinners.  The book of Revelation and Maccabees tells us, “No sin will enter heaven.”  Second, rich symbolizes many things: selfishness, pride, and materialism.  The opposite of these are humility, humility, and more humility.  We must recognize that we need God, kneel before Him, and die to self everyday.  What a difficult task?  One that I fail at daily.  Thank God for Jesus.  He is “The Way, The Truth, and The Life.”  If we truly want to enter heaven, we must recognize we are sinners who need God’s mercy.  Jesus, the Mediator, is how God made it possible for us to enter heaven.  This is why John the Baptist came preaching repent and be saved.  This is why we must be baptized, repent, and live in Christ.  This life is Heaven’s playground where we are called to be purified.  God desires one thing: us.  This is truly amazing.  Learn to be humble, pray, pray, and pray some more.  Padre Pio says, “Prayer is our greatest weapon; it is the key to God’s heart.”  It is impossible for us to enter heaven without a true conversion of our hearts, repenting, being baptized to receive the grace of God, fighting the “father of lies” daily, and putting on Christ casting away selfishness, pride, attachment to any material things. We can achieve heaven and become a saint by living with a poor Spirit.  Humbly kneel before God each day and submit your will to Him.  Pray unceasingly.  Repent and return to Him when you have sinned.  Receive the sacraments, faithfully; heaven cannot be achieved without God’s saving grace.  Do not allow yourself to become attached to material possessions.  Then, live with joy.  Trust in God.  Laugh….a lot!  Padre Pio says, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry!  God’s mercy will save you.”

Become a saint!
Christian YOLO