THE ENCOUNTER

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

I stood alone

in the midst of a large curious crowd.

Just an ear shot away from the Author of Life.

A certain affluent, flamboyant, young prince came.

Followed by an entourage of bodyguards.

They burst onto the scene.

In a shiny, black, long limousine.

He seeks answer

to his one single burning question.

“ What must I do to gain immortality ? “

And He gave him a truthful, straightforward answer.

“ Give up everything and follow Me.”

 

Appalled, he left brokenhearted

for he has so much to lose.

I pondered the encounter 

and what had just transpired 

while the Author of Life looked

as they drove and walked away.

There I saw what he’s been looking for.

He came to the right place, found the right Person,

asked the right question, received the right answer

and made the wrong choice…

by NeiL ArandA  02/16/14

Author's Note

And the young prince left His presence very sorrowfully sad. For he loved his wealth more than what he seeks ...

Reviews

[Daisie Vergara (Dhaye)]

While reading your piece, I came up to this one:

CHANGE

"My friend, I want to change", he said to me
So I replied, "To change, my dear, is not easy
You have do the things avoided or not done
You have to be in those places you haven't been gone.

But if you will just do the same things like before
Where is the change, it's just the same, nothing, no more
If you will go just there in places you have reached
Then I won't explain more nor try to speak, I failed to teach.

Yes, my dear, to change is to take all of the risks
To do some new things in your life, not in the list
Of those routine that you follow in each new day
Just try to step losing those old things in your way..."


The Young Prince left very sad because he knew he can't give up his wealth. Indeed,
"He came to the right place, found the right Person,
asked the right question, received the right answer
but still he made the wrong choice…"

He won't really get what he search for...

Another piece to ponder, Neil. Thanks for the share.

[NeiL ArandA]

Wow thanks Dhaye ... you're giving me a different perspective also. So the young prince is afraid to make that drastic change...

[Daisie Vergara (Dhaye)]

You're welcome, Neil. Always smile. =)

[Ghost of Jupiter]

A beautiful piece my friend that shares a wise truth that sometimes the things we are unwilling to give up and love to a point of obsession can be the cause of our destruction... Even perhaps lose our souls for them.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, wrong choice...we can't take it with us...all the possessions in the world are meaningless if we have a soulless spirit....if we can't feel good deep inside.

like S&G sang..."and all of my wealth won't buy me health, so i smoke a pint of tea a day."

[Benita-Staebell M - Kin..]

Much wisdom Character and truth in this piece.


I know the story of the Rich man that love his riches
more then care for Eternal soul as he suffered for eternity
as we are taught not to worship money or love Marital things
more then god they don't show us love.

Thank for sharing another wonderful piece
and for your kind reviews and comments left on
my page.

Blessings. Benita/ kindred poet

[Cynthia M. Dagnal-Myron]

Ah, but the young prince made the RIGHT choice. Until he learns the lessons required...he will not surrender fully or with an open heart. I am sure The Bread of Life would only smile, and wish him God speed--toward the trials that await!

I enjoyed this, though, having dealt, as a reporter, with lots of young "princes" who made very bad decisions...

[Marie]

I don't know how I losst track of you; your work is so good. Maybe you weren't posting for awhile. Anyway, this is a really good story, so much to the point.

[gabrielle]

When we are young, we tend to be arrogant. We set our own goals and whatever ideas and concepts that that do not conform to our self-imposed goals are disregarded. Perhaps, the young prince does not truly know what he is seeking for. This is parable-like write is something to reflect on.

[NeiL ArandA]

Your piercing perception is putting me on a hot spot Gab. Yes you are absolutely right. I will give the the synopsis of this piece.
I stood alone - I'm not lonely here, I just happened to be the only one who noticed and grasp what was going on between the prince and the Bread of Life.
Young Prince - I intentionally left that word " young " there. Carefree, naive, still enjoying all the fun and glamor of all his riches and impending inherited fame and fortunes. Its too early to give that up now.
" Immortality " - The rich and famous all and old time obsession. How to prolong such blissful youth so they can hold on to it and enjoyed and savored a little bit more of this passing pleasure and success they have accumulated and worked so hard for....And plastic surgeons, cosmetics and botox offers but temporary fix ...
Appalled, was his response. He thought he will just received a task or to do list or perhaps he thought he will be told to write and give a 7 million dollars donations . He could have given and wrote Him a rain check then ... but everything ?! ...its way too hard and too much for him to swallow...
and he walked away from the Giver and Source of all the he had. I was there and saw what he had missed. A chance of a lifetime. So this is the lesson on this piece. It is easy for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus never intended to be so hard and harsh on him. He just wanted to reveal what's truly important and valuable in this young prince heart. And that is what he truly loved and treasure - his riches and wealth. Please let me give you a quote " “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." ...
Who and what symbolize a fine and precious pearl here of great value ? The Place that we all yearn to go one day is not really a Place but a Person. Hope this helps Gab...thanks for commenting . God bless .

[Lyn Anderson]

This is brilliant. I enjoyed it very much. Something my priest would say in a sermon, but eloquently written.

[NeiL ArandA]

KLG ...i felt that ... Your curiosity intrigues and mystifies me.