Sermon: October 13, 2024

Readings: Mark 10:17-31

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” That’s the question the man in today’s gospel asked Jesus. What is it that prevents you from having an even deeper relationship with God? What would you need to give up or change that would reorientate your life so that you could more completely follow in the way of Jesus’ love? We can crave all sorts of earthly things, hunger for wealth and possessions, but those things will never satisfy what we truly hunger for: God's love in our lives.

Jesus never says change, and I will love you. He says God loves you, and through that love, we have the ability to make changes so we may live in the image of his love. And sometimes, following in Jesus’ footsteps can be uncomfortable; it certainly was for the man in today’s story. But his choice of walking away from Jesus doesn’t have to be our choice. We do not have to leave Jesus sorrowful.

Jesus looks at you and loves you; he offers his love, grace, and forgiveness. He offers healing that fills a void deep within us that nothing else could ever fill. It’s from the same love that God makes the impossible possible. Jesus calls us to follow him, to be his disciples, and to walk in his footsteps, enabling us to give up those things that prevent us from aligning our lives with his love.

Instead of walking away grieving like the man in the story, we can choose to answer Jesus’ call. He beckons us to follow him, offering us an inheritance far beyond what we could ever imagine. May we, in response to Jesus’ call, draw our lives ever closer to God’s love and his will for us as his children. Devoutly following in the love of our God and heavenly Father who saves and heals; our God who forgives and restores, who fills us with all good things; our God who offers us eternal salvation.