Think It Over
There's the amusing story about a convicted criminal -- a rough-looking character nicknamed "Brutus," who was about to be paroled after serving a lengthy sentence. Before walking through the prison gates to his long-awaited freedom, he was paid a visit by the prison chaplain. "You have paid your debt to society," the chaplain said, "so I encourage you to hold your head up high when you walk out of here. Live a good life and, by all means, join the nearest Church as soon as possible."
It so happened that Brutus found an apartment on the edge of the poorest section of town, yet close to the richest section. It so happened also that the nearest Church was located on the edge of the rich area. Old Brutus lost no time going to see the pastor of that Church and telling him of his desire to become a member. "My good man," said the pastor, "I don't think you would be happy here, although I appreciate your good intentions. Really, I think you would be most uncomfortable among my people and I'm afraid it would be quite embarrassing to you. I suggest you think it over, and pray that God will give you some direction."
Several days later, when Brutus happened to see the pastor on the street, he stopped and said to him, "Reverend, I took your advice and prayed to God for direction. And God told me to stop trying to join your Church. He said that He Himself had been trying to get in there for years without success!"
In today's lesson, the morning after Jesus visits the house of Simon and Andrew, everyone is looking for Him without success. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they find they say, "everybody is looking for you." (Mk. 1:37). And to this day, every one is still searching for Him, whether they realize it or not. The deep longing for genuine fulfillment is built into the human condition. At the deepest level of our being we long to fulfill our human potential. And often we imagine [...]
Stories you can use...
We've go a million of them (well, almost).
Hubris
A well-known preacher, world-famous for his talks, was hired to speak at a town rally. The city had fallen into a deep economic depression when the local auto plant shut down, forcing thousands to join the unemployment lines. As the great speaker was on his way to the auditorium, he overheard a conversation between two former auto workers that piqued his interest. ”Are you going to hear that famous guy make his speech?” one of the men asked. ”I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” said his friend. Hearing this, the orator felt a rush of pride, reminding himself that thousands of people had assembled to hear his motivational speech. And then, the first man continued, “Yea, you have to be there to win the color television set!”
Greed
An enterprising optician was giving his son a lecture on the technique of getting the highest price out of a customer. “Son,” he said. “after you’ve fitted the glasses to the customer, and he asks, ‘What’s the charge?’ you should say: ‘The charge is sixty-five dollars.’ Then pause, and watch for the flinch. If the customer does not flinch, you say, ‘Of course, that’s just for the frames; the lenses will be another seventy-five dollars.’ Then you pause again, but this time only slightly, and again you watch for the flinch. If the customer still doesn’t flinch, you add ‘each.’”
Worry
There is a great little book entitled “Celebrate the Temporary” which deals with the inability to be present to the now because of our anxious worry about this afternoon or tomorrow or next week. Just let go and let these words come through to you: Don’t wait until tomorrow. Live today. Celebrate the simple things...Delight in the trees, or a single lonely flower, or go barefoot in the wet grass. Don’t wait until all the problems are solved and all the bills are paid. You will wait forever. Eternity will come and go and you will still be waiting. Live in the now, with all its joy and all its pain. Celebrate your pain! Stand taller! Stop grieving the past. There is joy and beauty today. So open yourself to the possibilities around you...risk a relationship with someone strange to you. Live in the now! Celebrate the temporary! Celebrate life.
Repentance
Two shipwrecked sailors had been adrift on a raft for days. Desperate, one knelt and began to pray: “Oh Lord, I know I haven’t lived a good life. I’ve drunk too much booze. I’ve lied and cheated. I’ve done so many things I’m ashamed of, but Lord, if you’ll just save me I promise..” “Hold it,” interrupted his shipmate, “don’t say another word! I think I just spotted land!”
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