Let It Go

Fr. Noah begins this past Sunday's sermon by examining the story of the Rich Young Ruler from the Gospel of Mark. He draws attention to the young man's eagerness to learn about eternal life and Jesus' intriguing response to being called "good." Fr. Noah emphasizes that Jesus is more than just a good teacher; He is God Himself, a crucial point that the Rich Young Ruler fails to grasp fully.

The sermon then explores the insufficiency of mere moral living for salvation. While the Rich Young Ruler has kept the commandments and lived a morally upright life, Jesus reveals that he still lacks one thing: the willingness to sacrifice everything for God's purposes. Fr. Noah points out that we often focus on raising "good" children and being morally upright citizens, but Jesus calls us to a higher standard – a life completely transformed and given for God's purposes.

Fr. Noah addresses the powerful hold that wealth and other idols can have on people. He explains that money, though neutral in itself, can become an ultimate thing in our lives, preventing us from fully surrendering to God. Fr. Noah challenges the congregation to examine their own lives, asking if they have given the entirety of themselves to Jesus or if they, like the Rich Young Ruler, might walk away sad when confronted with Jesus' demand for complete surrender.

The sermon emphasizes the impossibility of salvation through human effort alone. Fr. Noah quotes Jesus' words, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:25). He explains that this applies not only to material wealth but to any sense of self-sufficiency that prevents us from recognizing our need for Jesus' saving work on the cross.

Fr. Noah shares a personal experience of encountering a homeless man at the church, using it to illustrate Jesus' compassion and love for all people. This anecdote serves as a powerful reminder of our own need for God's grace and the importance of seeing others through God's eyes.

The sermon concludes with a call to confession and surrender. Fr. Noah encourages the congregation to identify whatever they might be withholding from God and to offer it up in poverty of spirit. He reminds them that Jesus looks at each person with love, just as He looked at the Rich Young Ruler, and that with God's help, it is possible to let go of whatever we're holding onto that prevents us from fully following Christ.

Fr. Noah's final message is one of hope: through the power of the Holy Spirit, complete surrender to Jesus is possible, and this is indeed good news for all who hear and respond to the call of Christ.