Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost 2023
Paul makes clear that Jesus is the living Lord one can follow. Jesus takes his would-be follower from obedience to the commandments to singular relational obedience to him (and therefore an obedience only God should have). The man is held back by his possessions, which leads Jesus to observe that it is impossible for those with possessions to enter the kingdom - but God's grace enables us to do the impossible. We should be following Jesus with total dedication, although the shape of that dedication will look different depending on our situation in life and over our life as Jesus progressively frees us from our attachments to enter a deeper relationship with him.
Title
Outline
Paul makes the faith simple
If Jesus is the living Lord, that what does he ask of us?
Brothers and Sisters, this is the call of Christ
Readings
EPISTLE
1 Corinthians 15:1–11
1 Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, 2 by which you are saved, if you hold it fast—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
GOSPEL
Matthew 19:16–26
16 And behold, one came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 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, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have observed; what do I still lack?” 21 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.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.
23 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. 24 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.” 25 When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Notes
TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Matins Gospel Matthew 28:16–20
Epistle 1 Corinthians 15:1–11
Gospel Matthew 19:16–26