GIVING UP

GIVING UP

 

“ Master, we have worked hard all night...” – Luke 5:5

 

It was 3:00 a.m. and I was still in the office. “What in the world am I doing here?” I asked myself. Just a few nights ago, I had a meeting with my boss at 1:00 a.m. to work on a problem in our area and prepare a presentation for our meeting with the president at 9:00 a.m. I inherited all these responsibilities from a guy who was relieved of the responsibilities because of health problems.

Something was terribly wrong. I was running a big department with a secretary, a big office, a staff, good pay, the best company benefits in the industry and a brand-new company vehicle but I had a lot of personal stress, negative environment, no time with my wife and no life! To top it all, my direct boss’s favorite hobby was to exercise his vocal chords by shouting at people when things go wrong.

Man, I needed sleep and some peace and quiet… to say the very least. So I called out to God. Every lunch break, I delayed my eating to hear Mass and gaze upon the Lord. I wanted to give up and call it quits.

Sometimes, it is OK to give up, especially when it’s to surrender to the Lord. That’s when He acts. When I “gave up,” great options arrived, and with it, a lot of wisdom. Ariel Driz (adriz77@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

What are the stresses in my life lately? Have I given them up to the Lord?

 

When God Calls

 

 

When God calls, it’s often weird. Read about the way young Isaiah was called by God to be His prophet. Then, in the second reading comes St. Paul who, until the end of his life, wondered why Christ called him when he was a persecutor of the early Christians.

Finally, let me invite you to the shores of the Lake of Gennesaret. Simon Peter is tired and irritated. The whole night he and his companions tried to catch fish — nothing except some plants. Peter wants to go home, have a good breakfast prepared by his wife and then sleep. Now comes this preacher from Nazareth who wants to use his boat as pulpit. Not only that — the sermon is too long. Finally He finishes but instead of leaving the boat He asks Peter with a sweet smile: “Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch!” Oh no! What does this craftsman from Nazareth know about fishing? Preach and leave the fishing to us seasoned fishermen, he must think. At least these thoughts are written on his face. Jesus continues to look at him, smiling at the inner struggle Peter’s face reveals. That breaks him. “OK, if you say so, I will lower the nets.” The rest of the Gospel passage then talks about the grand catch, about Peter’s surrender to Jesus and his leaving everything to follow Him.

God calls, He invites, He doesn’t force anybody. Luckily, Isaiah, Paul and Peter were able to recognize the divine call and responded spontaneously. But being called by God does not mean that from now on life would be a stroll in the park. Being called by God for a special task means to take up the cross – but never alone, always with Christ at our side if we allow Him to help us carry our cross. I do not think only of a vocation to priesthood or religious life. Married couples, too, are called by God. Peter’s answer should become ours: “If you say so, I do it!” This trust in His Word prepares for the great miracle of success in the God-given task. And don’t forget Jesus’ command, “Put out into the deep!” That means: Don’t remain in the shallow water. Go with Him into the deep!Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

Reflection Question:

Do I dare to do seemingly useless things I feel God wants me to do? Do I realize that answering a call from God might lead to difficulties in life?

 

Lord, thank You for reminding me to be more open to Your call and dare to do things You tell me which seem to be useless. You know better. And trusting in Your Word will lead to great surprises in my life.

 

St. Tressan, pray for us.