8/18/2026 (Tuesday) Today’s Gospel reading: Matthew 19:23-30

23 Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?”
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”
27 Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?”
28 Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.
30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

8/18/2026 (Tuesday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Matthew 19:23-30

The Gospel reading above teaches a challenging truth: the things we possess can easily begin to possess us. After the rich young man walks away because he cannot let go of his wealth, Jesus explains how difficult it can be for someone who places security in riches to enter God’s kingdom. The problem is not simply having money; it is allowing wealth, possessions, position, or achievement to occupy the place that belongs to God. Yet the passage ends with tremendous hope: what seems impossible for human beings becomes possible through God. We can remember its message through one powerful word: SAVE.

S — Surrender what controls you.
The rich young man could obey many religious commands, but there was one thing he could not release. Jesus invites us to examine our own hearts. Our obstacle may not be money. It could be ambition, reputation, comfort, resentment, pride, or our desire to control everything. Sometimes God does not ask us to give up everything we have; He asks us to stop allowing anything to become more important than Him. Freedom begins when we can honestly pray, “Lord, everything I have belongs to You.”

A — Accept that you cannot save yourself.
The disciples were shocked by Jesus’ teaching because they recognized how demanding true discipleship is. Human effort alone is insufficient. We cannot purchase salvation, earn it through achievements, or become worthy through good deeds. Salvation begins with God’s grace. This should not discourage us—it should give us hope. When we reach the limits of our strength, God has not reached the limits of His power.

V — Value what lasts forever.
The world often measures success by what we accumulate: money, property, titles, recognition, and influence. Jesus proposes a different measurement. The better question is not simply, “How much have I gained?” but “What have I become?” Wealth can disappear. Positions can end. Applause eventually becomes silent. But faith, generosity, compassion, integrity, and love have eternal value. Use temporary blessings to accomplish eternal good.

E — Expect God to make sacrifice fruitful.
Peter wonders what will happen to those who have left things behind to follow Jesus. Christ assures His disciples that sacrifices made faithfully are never meaningless. Following God may sometimes cost us comfort, opportunities, possessions, or popularity, but nothing sincerely surrendered to Him is wasted. God can transform sacrifice into blessing, service into joy, and letting go into greater freedom.

Jesus therefore turns our understanding of success upside down. The person who appears to have everything may still lack what matters most, while the person who gives up something for God may actually be gaining something greater.

Remember the word SAVE: Surrender what controls you. Accept your need for God. Value what lasts forever. Expect your sacrifice to bear fruit.

Sometimes the greatest thing God saves us from is believing that we can live without Him.

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