Deacon Steve's Homily - New Year’s resolution to change - 3rd Sunday Ordinary – B

Almost 4 weeks ago we ushered in the New Year – 2015.

For me, it was non-eventful.  I didn’t even stay awake until midnight.

One thing that is always popular at the beginning of the year is to make  New Year’s resolutions.

Did anyone make a New Year’s resolution this year?

My grandson, Zack, actually resolved to get taller this year.

Some popular New Year’s resolutions are:

-       Lose weight

-       Stop drinking

-       Stop smoking

-       Exercise more

-       Enjoy life more

-       Get organized

-       Learn something new

-       Get out of debt

-       Spend more time with family

These resolutions are all good things to do and are meant to improve our lives.

Positive changes in one’s life are something that we should all strive for.

Change can be difficult, though.

We become creatures of habit and often times we fall back into our old ways.

I dare say that 3 + weeks into 2015 and many people have already broken their New Year’s resolution. 

Yes or No?

Today’s readings remind us that change is needed in our spiritual life as well.

We see this theme of change, or repentance, throughout our readings.

Jonah, who was speaking for God, calls the people of Nineveh to change their ways.

And when they do change, good things happen.

We just read from the book of Jonah:

“When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way,
he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them;
he did not carry it out.”

Yes, even God repented and changed!

And then in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus says:

“This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Jesus is calling the people to change the way that they are living, to improve their lives.

Why is he doing that?

He is calling for change because of his great love for the people.

He is actually calling the people to a better way of life:

A life of joy and peace that leads to God’s heavenly kingdom for all eternity!

Change can be difficult; most people really don’t like to change.

Most of us like to settle in to our lifestyle where we become comfortable, even if certain habits that we have are harmful.

Think about the popular New Year’s resolutions:

Eating better, losing weight, stopping smoking and drinking, and getting out of debt.

All of these resolutions are meant to change things that are harmful to one’s mind and body.

And when they are changed, the person is healthier and happier.

Changing habits can take several days. 

Conventional wisdom says that it takes 21 days to change a habit.

Some researchers say 28 days, while others claim 60 or more days.

Whether it takes 21 days, 28 days, or 60 days, changing habits take time and discipline.

I suppose there are some habits can even take years to change. <pause>

So how do we change our spiritual lives?

How to we repent and believe in the Gospel?

We change by emulating the apostles, by following Jesus.

We heard Jesus say to Simon and Andrew in our Gospel reading from Mark:

“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 

What did they do?

They abandoned their nets and followed Jesus.

Then Jesus called out to James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother, John to follow him as well.  

What did they do?

They left their father, Zebedee, and followed Jesus.

All 4 men left their livelihood and had a change of lifestyle because they answered Jesus’ call to follow him.

They had great courage in doing so and displayed a deep trust in Jesus.

They spent 3 years living with Jesus.

They listened to him, they talked with him, they learned from him.

They travelled together and ate meals together.

Their lives were radically changed, in a positive way, when they answered the call to be a disciple of Jesus.

My friends, we are being called to do the same.

In baptism, we were claimed by Christ and we became one of his disciples.

By following Christ, listening to Christ, and feeding on Christ, we can positively change and become more Christ-like.

This week, my friends, let’s take a spiritual inventory of our lives, and come up with our own New Year’s resolutions for our souls.

What changes do we need that would help strengthen our relationship with God?  Some resolutions to consider:

Increase our prayer time - where we can listen to and talk with Jesus.

Read more scripture – perhaps the church’s daily readings.

More frequent reception of the Eucharist – where we feed on and with Jesus.

More trips to the confessional - where we partake in the sacrament of Reconciliation.

As we strive for positive change in our life, may we never forget that Jesus loves us more than we can imagine, and that is why he calls us.

May we, like the apostles, answer the call and follow Jesus!