Humble to Listen
Thursday, September 1, 2016 (Weekday)
BcE 1Cor. 3:18-23; Ps. 24:1-2,3-4ab,5-6; Luke 5:1-11.
BcO 2Tim. 2:1-21 Liturgical Color Green
The Apostle Peter and his friends had a really bad day. They worked hard fishing all night without success. Jesus’ command the next day “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch” seemed to be lecturing Peter. How could the son of a carpenter from Bethlehem know where the fish nest? Peter’s first part of the answer seemed to represent the disappointment of today’s people who work hard without results: “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing.” However, Peter, the ‘rock’ man, strong and sturdy, turned out to have a personality that was dominated by an attitude of “humility” and was willing to “listen” to Jesus. And Peter’s second answer is obedience that brings abundant results.
Often we work so hard, diligently and persistently, but do not produce results. Even if the work is fruitful, it is not optimal. Then we fall into disappointment, irritation, and often get angry easily, even to the point of despair. However, Jesus’ command actually makes us aware to be more “humble”, to submit to, to incline our ears and “listen” to what the divine plan is behind every failure. We may pray before going to work, diligently attend morning Mass, diligently make novenas or devotions, and do penance or mortification for the granting of a special purpose. However, do we really know exactly the Word of God for our lives? Maybe God has whispered, “My child, you are fishing in shallow water” but we are deaf. And we go around in circles around the shallow area of faith.
The shallowness of faith is seen in the many practices of prayer that seem to “force God” to grant something. We must realize that love for God is what must motivate us to pray. Praying is not to force God to smooth everything. We are not “spiritual beggars”, who come when we need something and disappear when the need is met. Prayer is a spiritual power that makes us surrender to His will.
What should we do? Open our ears (and) hearts to hear His Word. Provide (more than) enough time to reflect on what God’s intentions are for this life. National Bible Month is a golden opportunity to “set out into the deep” with God. Don’t busy yourself talking too much to God. Be calm and quiet more. Let our souls listen to His voice. Trust me, God knows where the boat of our lives is headed. In the end, those who follow God’s commandments are those who succeed in their lives even though failures come their way. Who are they? Look and emulate the saints. (Fr. Nifmasken).
