Real Faith

Readings for Thursday September 2, 2010

First Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24
Gospel: Luke 5:1-11


While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. (Lk 5:1-11)

Having faith and doing God's will are easy when it is convenient. But what about when it isn't? I think that this is the sign of real faith, having complete trust and still doing what the Lord wants us to, even if we "don't feel like it" or it is very inconvenient for us. Saint Peter gives us a great example of real faith in today's gospel reading. Here is Peter, he had been fishing all night, he was exhausted from pulling his nets in and out all night, and to make matters worse he didn't have anything to show for it. Then along comes Jesus and asks him to lower his nets one more time. Peter gives a great response, which is one that we all feel at times: "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." Even though he didn't understand or even feel like it, he was still obedient.

Real faith means trusting in God no matter what. It doesn't matter if we don't' understand the reasons God is placing something on our hearts or calling us to something; what matters is that we follow ... regardless of how we feel.

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, thank you for all that you have blessed us with and for the gift of our lives. Help us to be good stewards of this life and of all the gifts that you give. Lord, increase our faith so that we may trust in you at all times, even when we don't want to. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.