I recently watched a film from the Christian production company Pureflix. The title of the movie was “What If”. It starred Kevin Sorbo who played Ben Walker. The movie began with a tearful goodbye scene as Ben leaves his fiance’, Wendy, to pursue a career in banking. He also leaves behind a bible which Wendy gave him as a gift. He tells her it is only for 8 months and he will return to her. But she knows he will not be coming back. Ben leaves his life with her, and his relationship with God, to pursue a life that looks greener on the other side.
Years later he has become mega successful. Money, cars, beautiful women, power. All the “good” things he was after and assumed would make him happy. And he is…or at least so he thinks he is. In a “It’s a Wonderful Life” reversal, he gets transported back, by an angel (John Ratzenberger from Cheers) to the life he would have had if he stayed with Wendy. Predictably, he rejects this life at first, in favor of his prior, high-octane corporate life. But he slowly begins to see what he missed. Family, faith, true friendships and community.
When he tells his angel he wants to stay, that he chooses the life that could have been, he gets sent back his corporate world. He now has a choice…in real time. Slide back in to his former ways or pursue the life that could have been. He finds Wendy, admits his mistake and builds a life where God is back at the center. His focus no longer is on what others have, or are, or could be, but instead returns to Jesus as the center…and builds from there.
I have a good friend from Cursillo who is getting ordained as a priest today. At 64 years of age. He had a good life as an attorney. He was successful and hard working. Had a nice apartment and was comfortable financially. But Christ was calling him. He just didn’t know it. Cursillo re-focused him on the true direction of his life. He is the only seminarian from our diocese that made it through all 5 years of seminary to reach ordination. He found his path by finding the Lord.
In today’s Gospel Peter is at it again. He has just told the risen Lord that he loves Him. He has been given the keys to the kingdom. But what is he most concerned about? Why does John get to live to see Jesus return. At least that is what he THINKS Jesus is telling him. This is after Jesus hints to Peter that he will die a martyr’s death. Jesus’ response? What is that to you? Why do you care what I have in store for John? Be concerned only about yourself and your direction. Follow Me and your path will be illuminated.
Paul is a good example of someone who had this focus. He gave up his status as a Pharisee and being well respected in the Jewish community to follow Jesus. He had to convince the other apostles and disciples of his sincerity, he had to ask for financial support, he debated with the apostles of the role Gentiles should play in the coming Kingdome, he was persecuted by the Jews and the Romans. But he remained laser focused on the Gospel and spreading its message to the ends of the earth.
May we all learn to not take our eye off the ball. To follow Christ first and foremost and not be concerned about the status of those around us.
Prayer:
Lord help us to remain true to your message and your direction for our lives. That we not become distracted by the mission you give to others but remain true to the path we are on in serving you. And let us not ask ourselves, “What If”, but instead ask you, “What’s Next”.
