A sermon on Mark 10:17-30

By Fr. Mike Paraniuk
St. Mary Catholic Church
St. Benignus Catholic Church 
St. Mary Queen of Heaven
and Holy Trinity Catholic Church

One can have all the blessings the world can offer yet feel empty inside. Tom Brady is the most successful quarterback in football history. He won seven Super bowl rings and earned accomplishments too many to name. He is the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time). Brady made a surprising revelation when interviewed on the "60 Minutes" news show in 2005 after he won his third Super Bowl. 

Here is a transcript of what he said:

“There are times where I’m not the person that I want to be. Why do I have three Super Bowl rings, and still think there’s something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, ‘Hey man, this is what it is.’ I reached my goal, my dream, my life.  I think: ‘it’s gotta be more than this.’ I mean this can’t be what it’s all cracked up to be. I mean I’ve done it. I’m 27. And what else is there for me?”

The interviewer asked, “What’s the answer?”

Brady responded, “I wish I knew. I wish I knew.”

Both Brady and the Young Rich Man were very similar. They had everything the world could offer. Wealth, security, comfort, pleasure They wanted for nothing. But there lingered this hunger from the soul. There's "gotta be more than this." 

Jesus loved this young man who followed the commandments of how God wanted him to love others. Now Jesus showed him how to love God by living the First Commandment. "You shall have no other gods before me."

Jesus explains if you want eternal life, you must rid yourself of the false gods in your life. The rich young man's possessions possessed him. Wealth became his god. Jesus tells him to remove this false idol. Go. Sell. Give. Come. Follow. Make God your only possession. Salvation is not found in worldly wealth but in Heavenly treasure.

I met some interesting people during my two years as a Franciscan friar. Brother James shared his story of how he came to the Franciscans. Like Tom Brady, he had it all. Success in business, lots of money, a 15,000-square-foot home and a vintage car collection. (He owned a 1951 orange Pontiac Chieftan, which was the car that brought me home as a newborn.) 

He never married because he could not find a woman who loved him, but only his wallet. I remember him saying, "I felt lonely and bored. There are only so many countries to visit, so many fine places to eat and only so many parties to go to. After a while, the thrill is gone." 

He met a Franciscan priest who owned nothing but was the happiest person he ever knew. He said, "I wanted that." James gave away all his worldly goods. He entered religious life with only a suitcase. "I traded in my Armani clothes and Gucci shoes for sandals and a brown robe. As 'Brother' James, I have found peace." 

Jesus challenges you to dump your false gods. What are the idols that become more important than God? Is there anything that takes the place of God in your life? We all have them but may not recognize them. Even something good may become an idol. If I always take care of others but don't take care of myself can become destructive. God does not want this.

Here are four questions to help you identify idols in your life:

1) Where do I spend my time?

2) Where do I spend my money? 

3) Where do I get my joy?

4) What do I think about the most?

Tom Brady asked, "What else is there for me?" 

Jesus gives the answer: "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." (Matthew 6:20-21.) Blessings to you.