There
is no such thing as a free lunch.
We
are warned from our childhood upwards of the dangers of taking short cuts in
life, of trying to get something for nothing.
However
when you look at many of the stories of our childhood the opposite is the case.
Whether it is kissing frogs, magic beans, glass slippers or cats in boots there
are far more stories that tell the tale of lives transformed by fortune and
luck.
The
truth of the matter is that nobody gets anything for nothing. If we receive a good education, we more than
likely worked hard for it. If our relationships and family lives are
prospering, it has taken a lot of good will and hard work. If we are making
good money in our jobs, for most of us it is because we have to put in the
extra hours.
This
is a lesson confirmed in the gospel reading this morning. Jesus proclaims “The
kingdom of heaven has come near” While this is of course good news there is a
condition attached; something that applies to any good thing in life: Entrance
to the kingdom has its price. we need to make ourselves ready with a change of
heart. Jesus tells us simply “repent”
I
doubt there is a single one of us here who would not want a life of peace, kindness
and compassion. We wish there was harmony among all people that wars would cease and the poor of the
world would be fed and clothed………. This is kingdom living indeed.
But
kingdom living remains a utopia for the most part because we are unwilling to
make the effort required to bring it about. WE always think it is someone
else’s job or responsibility. We are prepared to speak passionately about an
idea but when it comes to putting it into practice that is another matter
completely. Yes the Spirit of often willing but the flesh is weak.
WE
all want to be part of this kingdom but don’t want to have to change in order
to make it possible. The honest and harsh answer to the hungry of the world is
that we do not want to change the way in which we live our life, we do want to
have less so that more can be shared out.
When
it comes to our faith we are not much better. We are not prepared to make the
sacrifice necessary to be at church, we are prepared to give money but giving
our time can sometimes cost too much.
The
question remains Are we willing to pay the price? how important is our faith,
our membership of the Church to us? Are we willing to repent and make the
teachings of Jesus central to our life, or certainly live trying to!
If
you are felling uncomfortable now then that is a start for at least it means
that the question is genuine. Sports people know all about pain as they spend
hour after hour training and pushing themselves in order to do better in their
chosen field. When looking at someone competing, it is all to easy to simply
put it down to natural talent – after all they make it look so easy. However
the reality if often different, their natural talent is the result of years of
demanding discipline, training and practice.
Jesus
did not call the rich and powerful to be his disciples.
Paul
did not win converts to the early church through eloquent wisdom.
But
those who heard the call of Jesus by the sea of Galilee left their nets and
followed.
Those
who heard the words of Paul came together as the early church.
what
do you need to change in your life in order to walk in the footsteps of Jesus?
