Genuine faith is the basis for being poor in spirit and dependent upon divine providence.
It is what Jesus requested of the man who wanted to know from him what he must do to inherit eternal life (Gospel).
Having kept the commandments, Jesus loved the man but, realizing he was rich, told him to go and sell his possessions, give the money to the poor, and will have treasure in heaven (salvation) (ibid).
Unfortunately, on hearing this, the man was shocked and went away in grief because he could see himself not surviving without his many possessions (ibid).
For his attitude, Jesus said it will be hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. Thus, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone rich to enter the kingdom of God (ibid).
As his disciples became worried, wondering who can thus be saved, Jesus told them that for humans it is impossible but not for God; for God, all things are possible (ibid).
Per his statement, Jesus thus alluded to the necessity of genuine faith that can let humans do all things with the power that comes from God above.
Peter tells the basis and essence of faith. Faith and baptism will make accessible divine mercy by a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (First Reading).
This birth is into an imperishable, undefiled, and unfading inheritance, kept in heaven for who is being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (ibid).
Peter thus exhorts us to rejoice, even while we suffer trials, so that the genuineness of our faith may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed (ibid).
