Unpacking the Mass with Keith Nestor

Episode: 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 21, 2024
Date: January 16, 2024

Episode Overview

This episode of Unpacking the Mass centers on discerning and following the call of God as reflected in the readings for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Building on last week's theme of recognizing God’s call, Keith Nestor leads listeners through the questions: What are we called to do after hearing God’s voice? How do we respond with obedience, especially when God’s call challenges our comfort or expectations? The discussion is rooted in the Mass readings—Jonah 3, Psalm 25, 1 Corinthians 7, and Mark 1—and emphasizes the importance of repentance, surrender, and practical discipleship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Responding to God’s Call: Jonah’s Story

[03:30]

• Keith highlights Jonah’s reluctance and ultimate obedience:
  • Summary: Jonah initially resists God’s call to preach repentance to Nineveh, but after a dramatic turn of events, he goes as instructed.
  • Insight: "The call of God is given for God’s purpose. And Jonah knew that, which was why he wasn’t excited about it... But God doesn’t care what we want. When we recognize that we're called to his purpose, that purpose may go against something that seems natural to us, but we have to trust God’s way." (05:15)
• Application for listeners:
  • It doesn’t matter how you’ve responded in the past; the real question is what you do now when God calls.
  • Sometimes we’re the ones being called to repent; other times, we’re called to deliver God's message to others.
• Notable quote: "If you've ever resisted the call of God at one point in your life, God may be giving you another chance." (08:20)

2. Obedience, Expectations, and God’s Heart

[09:30]

• God won’t waste anyone willing to obey, even if results aren't immediate.
• "Don’t put expectations on how God will use you—just respond with obedience. Because remember God's heart... is to draw people to himself." (10:10)
• The people of Nineveh responded with repentance and fasting, demonstrating the desired fruit of God’s call.

3. Psalm 25: Asking for Guidance

[11:15]

• Keith reads through the responsorial Psalm, underlining themes of humility and learning.
• Application: Pray for God to teach and lead; remember His mercy outlasts our failures.

4. Detachment and Readiness: 1 Corinthians 7

[13:12]

• Paul’s exhortation: "the form of this world is passing away." (1 Cor 7:31)
• Keith clarifies:
  • It’s not about abandoning family or responsibilities, but about not letting worldly situations and excuses prevent us from obeying God.
  • Key insight: "Whatever your excuse is for not following God, set that aside." (15:02)
• The reading sets up the theme of radical readiness—being willing to reprioritize for God’s work, whatever your situation.

5. The Radical Call of Discipleship: Mark 1

[17:45]

• Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John—ordinary people with everyday obligations—and they leave everything immediately.
• Parallels between Jonah’s and Jesus’s messages: both demand repentance and transformation.
• Keith cautions against twisting the Gospel:
  • "The ultimate foundation of the Gospel message can’t be separated from repentance from sin and salvation through Christ... If it is, you’ve robbed the gospel of its power." (21:10)
• The call to follow is a call to lose one’s attachments and ambitions, not just to avoid sin but to surrender even "good" things for the greater good of God’s plan.

6. Personal & Practical Application

[27:10]

• Keith poses challenging questions:
  • What holds you back from responding to God’s call—fear of rejection, reluctance to leave your comfort, or attachments to worldly things?
  • Are you willing not just to hear God’s call but to act on it?
• He shares his own 2024 intention:
  • Personal reflection: "For me in 2024, my word... is serve. I want to be more of a servant... God has been putting all these things in front of me lately—of ways to just empty myself and serve other people." (33:05)
  • Serving comes at real cost—time, effort, missed opportunities for personal projects—but it’s the most meaningful response to God’s call.
• Listeners are encouraged to discern what they need to "drop" to follow Christ more closely.

7. Modern Analogy: Don’t Leave God “On Read”

[36:30]

• Keith uses a relatable metaphor:
  • "Don’t leave God on read... He knows whether you’ve read the message! When you hear the voice of God, respond, friends, and respond immediately. Don’t let anything hold you back and watch what God will do through you." (37:30)

8. Call to Community and Action

[38:10]

• Encourages listeners to form small groups around the podcast to discuss and unpack the readings together.
• "Imagine what could happen if we would live as though all that matters is God’s call in our lives." (39:45)
• Invites sharing in the comments: How is God calling you, and what do you need to let go of to answer?

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On discerning God’s purpose:
  "God’s heart is to draw people to himself. That’s what he wanted. He wants people to turn from their sin so that they can be healed." (10:15)

• On worldly excuses:
  "Whatever your excuse is for not following God, set that aside." (15:02)

• On the Gospel message:
  "The ultimate foundation of the Gospel message can’t be separated from repentance from sin and salvation through Christ. It just can’t be." (21:10)

• On discipleship cost:
  "Sometimes the call to discipleship is to leave behind some of the good things that you’re doing so that you can get the great things that he wants you to do." (32:25)

• On timely obedience:
  "Don’t leave God on read... When you hear the voice of God, respond, and respond immediately." (37:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:01] - Introduction and opening prayer
• [03:30] - First Reading: Jonah’s call and resistance
• [08:20] - Second chances in God's call
• [11:15] - Psalm 25 and seeking guidance
• [13:12] - Second Reading: Setting excuses aside (1 Corinthians 7)
• [17:45] - Gospel: Radical discipleship and repentance (Mark 1)
• [27:10] - Challenges to following the call today
• [33:05] - Keith’s personal resolution: Serving in 2024
• [36:30] - Modern analogy: “Don’t leave God on read”
• [38:10] - Community encouragement and call to action

Conclusion

Keith closes by urging listeners not only to recognize but also to respond to God’s call, even when it asks for real sacrifice. The challenge is clear: Examine what’s holding you back, live less for yourself and more for God’s mission, and support each other in discipleship through practical service and community. The episode’s tone is thoughtful, direct, and warmly encouraging, providing both scriptural depth and real-world application for preparing your heart for Sunday Mass.