The beginning of the calendar year brings the challenging questions:  what have you accomplished last year; what are your goals for next year; and, how will you improve yourself in the next year?  Some of us get caught up in them and some of us ignore them.

Yet throughout scripture there is a call to repent and follow God's laws.  All three of today's readings point to this.  Jonah is sent by God to Nineveh, an enemy city, to convert them and he succeeds!  They heed his warning of destruction and fast and put on sackcloth.  It is rare that the message is heard and responded to in this positive way.  The second reading and the opening paragraph of the Gospel echo the call to repentance.

This year much is being made of the Mayan Long Count Calendar which in 3114 BC indicated that their calendar would end the cycle of that time on December 21, 2012.  What this means is unclear and some interpretations see this as the end of the world.  On January 10, 2012, the Doomsday Clock, which was designed in 1947 to indicate the time of imminent destruction from nuclear or biologic weapons, was set forward one minute to five minutes to midnight.  Another highly publicized indication of the coming of the end time

Yet every day some of us are called to face our end time.  The diagnosis of a life threatening disease, a catastrophic event such as a motor vehicle accident or a significant fall, are calls to recognize our life is ending.   Are we ready? 

Probably not.  To be ready, we would have to have radically looked at our life.  The second half of today's Gospel give us direction as to how to be ready:  Jesus said to Simon, Andrew, James and John-"Come follow me".  Following Jesus is simple in hearing and difficult to do.

Today's reading suggests to me, the need to acknowledge that we are going to have an end time; we will die, whether it will coincide with any of the prophesied end times is of little consequence.  The call is to follow Jesus NOW, not later closer to the prophesied time or our potential death.

So how do we follow Jesus?  Many writers suggest such things as embracing the cross, whatever that means; read Scripture daily; attend daily Mass; help the poor and downtrodden; etc.  I think if any of these ways had appealed to you, you would be doing them and perhaps you are. 

I suggest that following Jesus is to act out of trust and love.  Certainly the apostles acted out of trust initially in following Jesus and certainly out of love in their day to day activities.  How do we do this? First, recognize that Jesus is calling us to follow him.  Then look for ways in our day to love others.    Take a few minutes to reflect on God's love for you and find ways to share that feeling with others.

It may seem simple but looking at the cashier as they hand you your receipt is a way to acknowledge another.  Acknowledging others as you pass them with a smile or greeting; thanking anyone that helps you.  There are many opportunities to share God's love every day if we are open to doing so.

PRAYER:  Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.  (Ps.24:4-5)