A Sermon by Deacon Terry

​This morning’s Gospel reading invites us into a conversation about wealth, priorities, and the true nature of freedom and eternal life. As we look at this reading, I’d like to draw connections of two symbols:
The Statue of Liberty and the Presidential election.
To do that I ask that we open our hearts and minds to the lessons that God has prepared for us, not to what we have read or heard – truly open our minds, hearts and our spirits to what God is saying to us in this morning’s Gospel.
In our Gospel reading, we encounter a man who, despite his adherence to the commandments, is challenged by Jesus to relinquish his wealth.
This story illustrates the tension between material wealth and spiritual richness.
Jesus’ call to sell everything and follow Him is not merely about economic status but about the internal disposition towards worldly possessions.
The young rich man’s sorrowful departure, highlights the difficulty many of us face in choosing spiritual fulfillment over material security.
The core lesson here is not that wealth is sinful, but rather that it can become a barrier to our relationship with God.
The man’s wealth had become his idol, obscuring his view of eternal life. Jesus' words point to the deeper truth that true freedom and spiritual richness require a radical changing of our priorities.
Before we go on, I’d like to ask ourselves, “what is our idol”, and are we willing to give up that idol and follow Jesus?
Now during this tense election season, I’d like to look at the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom and opportunity for many.
At some point in time, most of our forefathers & mothers came into this country and passed by this statue, seeking a new life of liberty and freedom, a better way of life for themselves and yes, us.
There is an inscription at the pedestal’s entrance which reads:
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles.
From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Lady Liberty stands as a beacon of hope, welcoming those who seek a new beginning.
This symbol of liberty invites us to reflect on the nature of freedom and the responsibilities it entails. True freedom is not just about the absence of constraints, but about the capacity to act in alignment with higher values.
We must remember the many sacrifices made by so many to secure this freedom and this way of life.
The Statue of Liberty reminds us that freedom comes with a call to generosity and justice—values that echo the message of today’s Gospel reading.
‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus replied, ‘no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.’”*
In our pursuit of liberty, we must also be vigilant against allowing our freedoms to become entangled with materialism or self-interest. The freedom symbolized by Lady Liberty should lead us to live lives of compassion; much like Jesus’ call to the rich young man was a call to act with generosity.
As we approach the presidential election, we are faced with critical decisions that will shape our society’s future.
Elections are a reflection of our values and priorities. They reveal what we hold dear and how we wish to address the needs of the nation. Just as the rich young man faced a choice that revealed his true priorities, our electoral decisions reveal the collective priorities of our society.
The teachings of Jesus in today’s Gospel challenge us to consider how our choices reflect our commitment to justice, compassion, and the well-being of all.
The upcoming presidential election is not merely about political preferences but about aligning our choices with values that promote the common good and reflect the kingdom of God.
Jesus’ teaching reminds us that no political system or leader can offer the eternal fulfillment and true freedom that comes from God.
While we are privileged to participate in the political process, we must also remember that our ultimate allegiance is to God’s kingdom. Our choices should be informed by a desire to live out the values of love, justice, and mercy, as Jesus has taught us!
This 10th chapter of Mark calls us to radical discipleship, challenging us to evaluate what we hold as our highest priority.
Jesus’ invitation to the rich young man to sell all his possessions and follow Him is a call to a radical reordering of our lives.
It is an invitation to embrace a way of living that prioritizes the needs of others over our own comfort.
The message here is clear: following Jesus involves a commitment that transcends personal gain. It requires us to live in a way that is counter-cultural, often challenging the norms and values of our society.
This radical discipleship means being willing to let go of anything that stands in the way of our relationship with God.
It is easier said than done – we are pulled in so many ways.
Just as the rich young man found the call difficult, we too might find it challenging to let go of our own “wealth”—whether it be material possessions, status, or even personal ambitions.
Yet, Jesus assures us that what we give up for His sake will be returned to us tenfold, both in this life and the next.
In light of both the Statue of Liberty and the call to discipleship, we are invited to embrace a deeper understanding of freedom.
True freedom is not about having the license to do anything we want, but about living in alignment with God’s will and purpose.
It involves a commitment to serve others and to live out the values of the kingdom of God.
As we reflect on our own lives, let us consider where we might be holding back from fully embracing this freedom.
Are there areas where we are like the rich young man, holding tightly to our possessions or priorities?
Are there ways in which our pursuit of freedom is entangled with selfish desires rather than a commitment to love and justice?
The freedom symbolized by the Statue of Liberty should inspire us to pursue a life of service and generosity. The choices we make—both individually and collectively—should reflect a commitment to the values that Jesus taught.
As we conclude, let us take to heart the lessons from Mark.
We are called to examine our priorities, to challenge ourselves to live with generosity and compassion, and to embrace a freedom that is rooted in our relationship with God.
In our pursuit of liberty and justice, let us remember that true freedom comes from living in alignment with God's will and purpose.
Let us pray for wisdom as we make decisions, both in our personal lives and in our participation in the democratic process.
May we be guided by the values of love, justice, and humility as we seek to follow Jesus and build a world that reflects His kingdom.
May God bless us with the courage to follow Him wholeheartedly and to live out the true freedom that only he can offer.
 Amen.