I want it all! I want it now!

My experience in buying new stuff is that stuff never really satisfies me as much as I anticipated that it would. Whether it comes on four wheels, in a bottle with amber colored liquor in it, with a picket fence around it, or it has a bunch of zeroes behind it, stuff is only stuff. We mistakenly believe that stuff is going to make us happy. We also falsely believe that we can make our self happier by procuring more stuff. It is also pretty clear that the same can be said about my plans for my life. My plans are just more stuff, actually. We think we know best what is best for us. Wrong!

All three readings this weekend are fun but serious reminders that our ways (and stuff) are not God's ways. The short peek into the life of Jonah in the first reading is just enough to encourage me to ask you to find your Bible and read the whole Book of Jonah. It is a very short story that you can probably read while that rerun of NCIS is on. Jonah thinks he knows better than God what he needs to do with his life and what the people of Nineveh need to get right with God. He is wrong on both accounts. And God is quick to correct him (in a comical sort of way). I think the Book of Jonah is the funniest book in the Sacred Scriptures. The whole story is about one episode after another of Jonah trying to prove he is right, while us readers understand pretty quickly that only God is the One in the know here. The story of Jonah is still a pertinent and wise parable for us in 2015.

Paul's first letter to the Corinthians sounds like something we may read as the Church year closes. Here it is only the third Sunday of Ordinary Time but we are already reminded that this world is temporary and passing away. That means our time and our lives here are also temporary and are also passing away. St. Paul asks us to not risk our lives on stuff and relationships that are not eternal.

In Mark's Gospel story of Jesus announcing God's Kingdom for the first time, and then His calling His first disciples, I am struck about the urgency of His call and the immediacy of the response of His first followers. "The time is NOW! Repent and believe NOW! Be my disciple NOW!" The humorous part of this story to me is how Peter, Andrew, James and John all said "Adios!" right NOW to their fishing businesses, their plans, and their families; and how they started following this new preacher right NOW.

These disciples gave up their stuff, their plans, and their relationships. And it turns out that God's Son knew best what stuff, plans and relationship was more important for them. Because of God's call and their response the Church is here after 2000 years. This call and response "roller coaster" has been the history of the Church and its Saints since Jesus' Resurrection. We are a history of people who have taken the words that we pray "Thy will be done" seriously and joyfully.

So, how attached are you to "your" stuff? Are you ready for the adventure of your life? The heck with God being your co-pilot! Are you ready to let God in complete control? Can You pray, "Teach me Your ways, O Lord!"

peace and blessings!
Fr. Chuck