Our Will or God's Will - Reflection 3rd Sunday OTB

(Readings) You pray the way you believe so is it our will or God's will. 

I love the story of Jonah. He was just an easy going ordinary prophet going about his life. Then God asked him to do something extraordinary. It was more than Jonah wanted; so, he ran from God.

Jonah did Jonah’s will.  No matter how far he ran, he couldn’t escape God’s will; neither do we. We are just like Jonah except our story may not literally have a big fish that swallows us; but, we put so much effort in doing our will instead of God’s will, it swallows us whole.  

Wait!!! We all are trying to do God’s will. We pray our prayers. We go to mass. If we do everything to get to heaven, we must be doing God’s will.

Lex orandi est lex credenda -- “the way you pray is the way you believe.”

I’m guilty.

We pray, God may your will be done but especially in the good of our life. Bless us with things. Our prayers, God do our will so our life is easy and then send us to heaven.

If this is the makeup of our prayers, our efforts are in the wrong place.

The story of Jonah and the one from the Gospel tells us the right place to put the effort.  In the everyday ordinary world, God’s will may not be what we want. But by faith, maybe try to put what we want and what we are (our lives and works and prayers) in the place Jesus wants.

We can know what Jesus wants by knowing His life and His prayers. Jesus prays - Father thy will be done. Jesus entire life was about the Father’s will being done here on earth as it is in heaven.  

Living out the will of God the Father, Jesus told his disciples and Jesus tells us, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Jesus’ example to all those who followed him and those who heard him teach was how to live God’s will here on earth with other people.

He healed the living, those suffering in their bodies not just their souls. He raised the dead to teach the importance of life here in the present.

God’s will is active giving love at work in world. His will comes alive through us. To know this love, follow Jesus. Learn to give and do the Father’s will by the example Jesus gave us.

God’s will is for us to become like Jesus Christ, to love others universally. By that love of Jesus, the world in its present form is passing away.  Our contribution is following Jesus to change the world as he taught.

We can never separate ourselves from the will of God.  We can act like it; but, the result is sin. The biggest sin against the Holy Spirit is the delusion that our will is greater than God’s. It is the sin of putting self before the will and love of God.

God is not going to send a big fish to stop us from living the sin of self-delusion. He has done something greater. God sent Jesus Christ to teach us how to live God’s will.

My brothers and sisters, the question to ask is whose will do we follow.  Follow our will and run from God. Follow our will and continue to sit on the shore and mend nets.

Consider this; time is growing short. The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

So instead, God’s will be done, proclaim his word. God’s will be done, follow Jesus.  God’s will be done; Jonah changed the world. God’s will be done; Jesus and his disciples changed the world. God’s will be done and we change the world.

The simplest way to realize God’s will is to return to God. Repent, like the people of Nineveh who believed God and did His will.

If we truly live God’s will though Christ Jesus, our prayers should not be about self. But, we should pray – Lord, teach us your ways. Teach us your paths. Guide us in your truth for you are our savior.

Your life and the way you live is true witnesses that you are following Jesus.

Yall be good, yall be holy, repent. Believe and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.