Homily for the Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church

Certain expressions in the Scriptures carry deep inspiration. For instance, recognizing that "for God, all things are possible" is reassuring. This is similar to the response given to Mary's question to the angel, "How can this be?" The angel Gabriel replied, "Nothing will be impossible for God."

In today's Gospel passage, the context is the moment when the rich young man, seeking the path to eternal life, left feeling disheartened because Jesus' response implied a sacrifice greater than he thought he could make. How can a wealthy person find the way to eternal life (assuming that sacrifice may not be feasible for some rich individuals)? Jesus says it is possible, but only with a special grace from God.

At different points in our lives, we all encounter what appear to be insurmountable challenges. We become anxious, pondering how we will navigate through a health crisis, a family loss, a breakdown in marriage, or a severe bout of depression. In these moments, it is comforting to know that, for God, all things are possible. St. Paul embraced this belief and expressed it uniquely. He wrote, "I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me." How reassuring it would be to share in that deeply held conviction!