Impossible Made Possible

We are just days away from the celebration of the Nativity of Christ. It is the celebration of the coming in the flesh of the eternal God. It is a miracle of miracles. What was impossible has been made possible by God.

At that time, as Jesus was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth.” And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” At that saying his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “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 a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

Mark 10.17-27

I must admit, the ending verse in today’s Gospel lesson is one of the most frustrating for me. The fact that God makes the impossible, possible isn’t what frustrates me. It seems like everyone reads the passage as an excuse to embark upon whatever challenge they wish and expect God to make it possible.

As we begin our Christmas celebrations, the Church is reminding us that God has changed the course of history forever. Never in the history of humanity, prior to His birth, could a human even think of salvation, but God made salvation possible. THAT is the verse.

Among the challenges that interrupt our journey to salvation, are the temptations of the world. The world offers money and power. Among the saints commemorated today is Saint Juliana who refused to marry a pagan ruler. She was tempted by power and wealth but refused to deny Christ. Because of her faith, hundreds became Christians. What was thought to impossible, was made possible by God.

In the final days before Christmas, I invite you to remain focused on Christ, or to get focused if you have faded a bit. Keep the fast or start the fast. Make sure you plan to attend Church services for Christmas. Don’t ‘just light a candle’ but plan to stay for the entire Liturgy and prepare to receive Holy Communion.

What could be worse, being short of a few party supplies, or not preparing your soul for Christmas? It isn’t impossible. It just requires a bit of faith on our part to fight the temptations of the world.