by Sister Lynne Marie Simonich
Many commercials we hear tell us to "Hurry - it's the biggest sale of the season!" Remember the news reports before Christmas of shoppers nearly breaking down the doors of stores to get those last-minute deals? What about the mobs of people stepping over each other to get that great bargain? They were in a hurry -- they wanted the best for less.
Our three Scripture readings for this Third Sunday in Ordinary Time have a sense of urgency. Jonah tells the people of Nineveh that God has told him, "Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed." St. Paul reminds the people of Corinth and us that "the world in its present form is passing away." In Mark's Gospel, Jesus calls his first disciples telling them, "The kingdom of God is at hand." There is no time to waste. Jonah, Paul and Jesus want us to "hurry" -- not for low prices or big sales -- but to answer God's call inviting us to change our hearts and bring God's love into the world by our actions of compassion and joy. The cost for us? Placing our minds, hearts and souls into the hands of our God.
There's no "money back guaranteed" but there is the promise of our God's continual love and grace that is with us as we answer God's call each day.
Will you hurry to answer God's call?
Thank you, Lynne Marie, for reminding me to be ready to respond to God - each day, in each moment. I want to have the same urgency for listening to God as I do to the messages on my cell phone, etc.
Peace to you, Lynne Marie. Hope the storm in Chicago doesn't leave you stranded!
Thank you Sister, that sounds like a good "money back guaranteed" to me! "God's continual love and grace that is with us as we answer God's call each day."
Thanks for the analogy, Lynne Marie.
What a great comparison that we can all relate with. Placing our lives in God's heart is where it's at. Thanks much.