A Christian Ottamooli For Camel Size Bodies

Camels unlike animals like cats are not so compact: they have big humps, lengthy winding neck, long legs, and heavy flat hoofs. It can’t compromise its body and sneak through any entrance or door. Jesus compares rich people entering the gates of heaven like camels entering the eye of a needle (Matthew 19: 23-30). The doors of heaven are narrow and small like the eye of a needle.

Things like money, arrogance, greed, jealousy, need for vengeance, etc. makes someone stiff, unbendable, and not compact like a camel. And their entry into heaven would be next to impossible. But the gospels suggest an ottamooli. Ottamooli is a Malayalam concept referring to a single-dose home remedy for a pestering illness, often based on traditional wisdom and Ayurvedic practices. These remedies are known for their ease of use and the absence of side effects.

The ottamooli for a camel size unyielding problem is giving. Giving makes one’s size manageable, adaptable, and flexible; and the grace of those who receive makes the gates of heaven bigger.

Are there examples of this ottamooli being used in the gospels? Of course there are: take the case of Zacchaeus in Like 19; he was rich and was a tax collector. Jesus enters his house and Zacchaeus declares that he would correct his defrauding ways and would give half his property to the poor. And Jesus said, ‘salvation had come to this house today.’ Zacchaeus gave, and not only a camel but also its entire household has gone through the eye of the needle. Ottamoolies are indeed powerful.

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