Listen, Respond, and Trust
February 7, 2025 at 3:01 p.m.
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Like most kids in high school, I couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel and drive a car on my own. This would open me up to more freedom and independence. (I could leave the house and buy McDonald’s whenever I wanted to!) Though I was excited for this I was also terrified of the idea. Driving can be extremely dangerous, and I knew I could get hurt if I was in a bad accident.
My dad, being the wise man that he is, had me take baby steps during the process of learning how to drive. One week he just had me put the car in drive and take my foot off the gas. The next week he took me to an empty parking lot and allowed me to step on the gas pedal and drive around the entire lot. Finally, he had me drive on the streets and then the highway.
Now, if my dad planned to take me straight into the highway during rush hour on that very first lesson, I would’ve looked at him like he was crazy and probably quit before even starting! But because he warmed me up to the idea and reality of driving in traffic, I was able to understand more clearly and build the confidence to eventually do it. This style of trust building is exactly what we see in this Sunday’s Gospel reading.
Jesus approaches Simon as he’s finishing up for the day and makes three requests of him. Each request is asking more and more of Simon’s cooperation. Jesus first asks Simon to put the boat out a short distance so he can better teach the crowds. This request is not a big deal because Simon can still pack his equipment up as Jesus is speaking. Jesus then asks Simon to go out even deeper and lower his nets to catch fish. This request is asking a lot more of Simon. Imagine working all night, catching nothing, and some guy is telling you to dirty your equipment when you were almost finished putting it away! With trust, Simon does as Jesus says and they catch more fish than their nets can handle. Finally, after all the fish were brought ashore, Jesus asks Simon to follow him. To this request Simon “left everything and followed him”.
During each request Simon not only had to exert some effort but he also received something from Jesus. In the first request he was able to hear Jesus teach, in the second request he received an abundance of fish, and in the third request he received Jesus as his friend. Simon would become the first pope and lead the Church in spreading the good news throughout the world. The amazing things he did throughout his life wouldn’t have been possible without this first encounter with Jesus.
Many of us struggle to find what God’s plan is for our lives. We go about our day doing the next right thing, but no clarity is given. We may be tempted to give up and follow our own path but that would be a mistake. God wants what is best for us and he is constantly reaching out to us. When we remain faithful to our responsibilities that is where he is preparing us for our purpose and guiding us towards it. Bringing him into those moments is how we grow closer to him. If we place our trust in him and allow him to move in our lives he will show up and guide us to where we’re meant to me. All we’re asked to do is listen, respond and trust. Let God do the rest
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Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Like most kids in high school, I couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel and drive a car on my own. This would open me up to more freedom and independence. (I could leave the house and buy McDonald’s whenever I wanted to!) Though I was excited for this I was also terrified of the idea. Driving can be extremely dangerous, and I knew I could get hurt if I was in a bad accident.
My dad, being the wise man that he is, had me take baby steps during the process of learning how to drive. One week he just had me put the car in drive and take my foot off the gas. The next week he took me to an empty parking lot and allowed me to step on the gas pedal and drive around the entire lot. Finally, he had me drive on the streets and then the highway.
Now, if my dad planned to take me straight into the highway during rush hour on that very first lesson, I would’ve looked at him like he was crazy and probably quit before even starting! But because he warmed me up to the idea and reality of driving in traffic, I was able to understand more clearly and build the confidence to eventually do it. This style of trust building is exactly what we see in this Sunday’s Gospel reading.
Jesus approaches Simon as he’s finishing up for the day and makes three requests of him. Each request is asking more and more of Simon’s cooperation. Jesus first asks Simon to put the boat out a short distance so he can better teach the crowds. This request is not a big deal because Simon can still pack his equipment up as Jesus is speaking. Jesus then asks Simon to go out even deeper and lower his nets to catch fish. This request is asking a lot more of Simon. Imagine working all night, catching nothing, and some guy is telling you to dirty your equipment when you were almost finished putting it away! With trust, Simon does as Jesus says and they catch more fish than their nets can handle. Finally, after all the fish were brought ashore, Jesus asks Simon to follow him. To this request Simon “left everything and followed him”.
During each request Simon not only had to exert some effort but he also received something from Jesus. In the first request he was able to hear Jesus teach, in the second request he received an abundance of fish, and in the third request he received Jesus as his friend. Simon would become the first pope and lead the Church in spreading the good news throughout the world. The amazing things he did throughout his life wouldn’t have been possible without this first encounter with Jesus.
Many of us struggle to find what God’s plan is for our lives. We go about our day doing the next right thing, but no clarity is given. We may be tempted to give up and follow our own path but that would be a mistake. God wants what is best for us and he is constantly reaching out to us. When we remain faithful to our responsibilities that is where he is preparing us for our purpose and guiding us towards it. Bringing him into those moments is how we grow closer to him. If we place our trust in him and allow him to move in our lives he will show up and guide us to where we’re meant to me. All we’re asked to do is listen, respond and trust. Let God do the rest