A smile goes a long way - It does not cost nothing - In fact, you might even be surprised by what a simple smile can do

Today at Holy Mass the story of Jonah continues in the first reading…..Jonah is losing hope in the city he was sent to evangelize by God…He has fallen into despair and God through that despair teaches Jonah….”Should I not be concerned over Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot distinguish their right hand from their left”…..Jonah wants to see results and he even calls on God to strike “those people” down…And when that does not happen, he focuses on petty things…He also begins to focus on himself…God has to remind him of the “big picture”…God tries to teach Jonah that he loves the lost as much as he loves those who are faithful - The question is - Do we?……As a co-host of a Catholic radio show I am very much aware of what is going on in Catholic Social Media….And what is communicated is not always focused on the “big picture”….It can at times be focused on “the self”- Addressing the Church as “we” would like to see it…Remember - God left the 99 for the one who was lost - Would you do that?….And in order to do that - We must leave our “comfort zones”….Sadly, few are interested it seems in “the one who has gone astray” and simply want to “be comfortable” staying with the 99…..To think this way is to not think as God thinks….Jesus gave us only one prayer in all of Scripture - The Our Father - The prayer is not entitled “My Father” - Its titled “Our Father” - Take note!….Today Jonah needed a reminder - And God gave it to him….God has not abandoned his people and he has a deep concern for the lost and those who have strayed from the flock - The question is - Do we?…Are we willing to leave the 99 for the one who is lost?

“Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry that God did not carry out the evil he threatened against Nineveh………But the LORD asked, "Have you reason to be angry?"

Jesus as we all know ate with sinners and this caused great scandal in his community…Jesus did not compromise his standards…He did not condone sin…But he welcomed sinners…Again - The question remains - Do we?…….When we do this - We too expose our self to gossip as Jesus did…Are we willing to “go there” as a Church?……..Anyone can attend a Catholic Mass - While we have to be in the state of grace to receive the Blessed Sacrament - Anyone can attend…..With that said......What would you do if a homosexual couple attended your Mass on Sunday and sat right next to you?…..They can attend - Right?…….Would you welcome them?………How about if the town drunk attended Mass - Would you sit next to him or her if they were all alone?……How about the divorced woman who left her husband for another man….Would you offer her a hand of friendship?……While we as Catholics cannot change doctrine - We can and should be friends with EVERYONE…Most importantly offering a hand of friendship to those who go astray…To not do this is to reject the message of the Gospel…..We were not created to be “comfortable” - And if people want to “talk” - Let them “talk”!…….We must be willing to go outside of our comfort zones…..Jesus’ entire three year ministry was lived in and on the margins of society….How about us?….Do we like our “little neat box” where everyone has a pressed shirt and combed hair?…..Are we willing to roll up our sleeves and “get messy”?…..One of my favorite stories in all of scripture is when Jesus asks Peter to do something that frankly makes no sense at all….He gives him advice how to fish….Remember, Jesus was not a fisherman by trade - Yet, Peter was willing to do “what did not make sense”…….”He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”…….When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing……..When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”…We must be willing to do the ridiculous - To attempt to accomplish what “the crowd” says can’t be done….That is where the “big fish” are…And in order to do that…We must be willing to leave the 99 for the one.

“Have mercy on me, O Lord, for to you I call all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul”

Today we hear about Jonah - The “handpicked guy” by God….Jonah wants God to “fix” the people in the city “his way”….But God has other plans - First off - God has to “fix” Jonah’s heart……God loves everyone - And guess what? - So must we!…Now that does not mean we compromise our faith or the teachings of the Catholic Church…But it does mean we are not to judge people…It does mean we are to go out of our way to offer a hand of friendship to all people, most especially those who have gone astray…And if the “perfect people” have a problem with that - As my late father would say - TOUGH………How would you feel if "that person” doing “x” or “y” was your son or your daughter?…I bet you would be concerned - Right?…Well - "That person” is God’s son and God’s daughter…And he is heartbroken and very concerned - So how about we help out? - And not make matter’s worse at the very least….A smile goes a long way - It does not cost nothing - In fact, you might even be surprised by what a simple smile can do…….JMJ

https://www.holywaterbooks.com/catholic-men-will-save-america.html