On the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Matthew Howell preaches about the encounter between Jesus Christ and the rich young man who walked away from Christ sorrowful over the idea of selling all his possessions. Fr. Matthew points out that the young man was moral but not holy and that he was too attached to his riches or possessions to be filled with the grace of God and to follow Christ. Fr. Matthew refers to his homily bingo card, then quotes Monty Williams in pointing out that the young man did not want to do what was hard to gain union with Christ, which is the ultimate purpose of our life. Along the way, Fr. Matthew lists numerous activities or things that could inhibit us from following Christ, challenges everyone to consider what they would or should give up to gain eternal life, makes fun of his wife's goats (twice!), and reminds everyone that St. Olga of Alaska shows us that this difficult yet faithful lifestyle that leads to holiness and eternal union with God is possible.

Previous Homilies for this Gospel Reading: 

• August 27, 2023 - Stop Loading Pianos into Your Lifeboat
• September 4, 2022 - What Do You Treasure?

Epistle: Hebrews 9:1-7

BRETHREN, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.

Gospel: Matthew 19:16-26

At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, 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." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.