The Best Life

The Third Sunday In Ordinary Time
25 January 2009


Come, let us rejoice in the Lord, let us acclaim God our salvation, alleluia.


First reading Jonah 3:1-5,10
The word of the Lord was addressed to Jonah: ‘Up!’ he said ‘Go to Nineveh, the great city, and preach to them as I told you to.’ Jonah set out and went to Nineveh in obedience to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was a city great beyond compare: it took three days to cross it. Jonah went on into the city, making a day’s journey. He preached in these words, ‘Only forty days more and Nineveh is going to be destroyed.’ And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least.

God saw their efforts to renounce their evil behaviour. And God relented: he did not inflict on them the disaster which he had threatened.


Psalm or canticle: Psalm 24:4-9


Second reading 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Brothers: our time is growing short. Those who have wives should live as though they had none, and those who mourn should live as though they had nothing to mourn for; those who are enjoying life should live as though there were nothing to laugh about; those whose life is buying things should live as though they had nothing of their own; and those who have to deal with the world should not become engrossed in it. I say this because the world as we know it is passing away.


Gospel Mark 1:14-20
After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’

As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him.

Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.


Reflection
By Anabelle Payod - Balla

No question asked. No hesitation. No doubts, no buts. Simon, Andrew, James and John instantly responded to Jesus’ calling. There was trust, complete trust. They lived an extraordinary life with Jesus.


Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta did the same thing. She turned her back from her ordinary life and lived a very meaningful life with Jesus. I have asked myself several times before if I can do the same great things that she and the many saints did. The answer that I always get is yes. It is possible. I can do great things with God. The only question is do I want to? Do I want it badly that I am willing to do everything, to leave behind my current life? If not, why? What is keeping me from living a full time life with Jesus?

I often wonder if I am on the right path. If I have already responded to God’s call. If I am now serving my purpose with how I live my life today. With how I take care of the lives of people that God entrusted to me. Maybe yes to some extent, but not fully. I feel there is something missing, not enough, just ordinary. I pray that Jesus will not tire of calling me, of pulling me towards the best life I can ever live on earth. I pray that I will finally take heed to His calling with complete abandon, trusting Him that all things will go well.






Oh Jesus, thank You for Your presence in my life. I want to spend more of my life serving You. Please continue to teach me the ways. Amen.

Why live an ordinary life when there is so much opportunity to live the best one with Jesus?