Going Fishing

April 25, 2019

When all else fails, we turn to the familiar. This week kicks off the Easter season, and after a long Lenten journey, most of us will admit that Easter couldn't have come at a better time. Everyone loves prayer, fasting and alms giving, but you know what people usually love even more? Anything else, or in this case, celebrating! Jesus has risen, Alleluia! We can put aside our fasts and austerities and instead go back to being who we were before those forty days. When all else fails, we turn to the familiar. 

Hopefully you and I have learned something, something that will stick with us long after the feels have gone away, but if you're like me, or the example I want to talk about, going back to the familiar (our old self) might happen sooner than you expected. It's really easy, and I think in large part, because we don't see any other option. 

If you open up your bible to chapter 21 of the Gospel of John, you can see what I'm talking about. At this point in this gospel narrative, Jesus has already appeared to the twelve apostles after His Resurrection. They have seen the risen Lord; He has spoken to them, comforted them, offered His peace and breathed the Holy Spirit on them. Honestly, it sounds like a pretty moving experience if you ask me. So why is it that just a few verses later, instead of forgiving the sins of others like Jesus invited them to do, Peter and the boys are "Going fishing"? When all else fails, we turn to the familiar. 

I don't think I can repeat that phrase enough, not to only get it into your head, but to get it into mine. We love the familiar. It provides us with comfort and a peace we don't trust ourselves to find in an unfamiliar situation. The reality is, we can attempt to be our best selves for a short period (Say forty days), but for the long term? It often times seems too daunting. We often approach Lent searching for a seasonal change when God invites us into one that is much greater than that. And this takes me back to my main point once again - when all else fails, we turn to the familiar. 

Just like the apostles, our turn to the familiar isn't because we want to go back to our old ways, but instead, because we don't fully believe we are able to be more! But what happens when the apostles get back into their boat? They don't catch anything. Well, not until Jesus shows up. When Jesus shows up, He offers them a bit of advice, a bit of support and a bit of faith. They've been in this spot before, and after thinking back, I'm sure they knew what was going to happen when they cast their nets on Jesus' command. A huge catch! 

Aren't we somewhat similar to these broken men? We finish up the beautiful Lenten season but now we find ourselves saying, what next? Resorting back to our old selves is so easy, but there is Jesus standing on the shore, once again, with the same invitation He had for us yesterday, and the day before, and every single day before that. He wants us to trust Him, and offers us a bit of advice, a bit of support and bit of faith. He wants us to have a big catch.

What do you want?

I invite you to spend time over these next fews weeks reflecting on that question - what do you want?- and seeing if it aligns with what He wants. The apostles eventually figured it out, and with the help of the Holy Spirit and Divine Mercy, transformed the world. We too have an opportunity to have a real and lasting impact on this world. Throw out your nets, brothers and sisters! 

May Jesus Christ be praised! 

Holy Week & Easter

Holy Week & Easter

April 20, 2019

Have you ever been at a loss for words? 

Yeah, me neither. 

But I've been close.

A few months back I started a new job.

The precise date was January 8th. 

A few weeks ago, I was let go from said job.

The precise date was March 28th. 

You do the math - that is less than three months.

Up until January, I had been living in Northern Virginia. I had planted roots there, and although my plan was not to live there for good, I was happy with the way things were going. But then I came upon this job in Development. I was not in love with the location (Northern Kentucky), but I decided to give it a shot. After a long application process, I was offered the job and decided I could make the location work. And I was going to be traveling every month, so it would not be a huge deal. 

Goodbye, Northern Virginia, hello Bourbon Trail. 

What led me to make the decision can be read about here, but in short, it seemed like God was inviting me to leave my comfort zone, and make the move. Well leave my comfort zone I did, and now I'm here. 

Back to square one. 

I have no desire to write about what happened. In truth, it will not get me my job back, and it isn't worth spending energy describing. All I ask is that you pray for the twenty-five of us who got laid off, that we can find new and fulfilling work. 

So the question then becomes, what am I writing about? 

Just what God has placed on my heart. The important takeaways.

Firstly, I am seeing the importance of purpose and joy in my life. 

God has made it abundantly clear to me over the last few years that the sum of my worth has nothing to do with my salary or the job I'm in. This most recent situation has only reinforced that. My purpose on this earth is to bring Christ to every person I encounter, and the best way to do that is in a joyful spirit. 

Secondly, I'm realizing just how real the cross is.

It is so easy to live for Jesus when everything is going well, but how do we handle the tough situations that come before us? St. Louis de Montfort talks about crosses, and basically says that we never need to ask for them, but when they come (and they will come), that we accept them with love. If this Lenten season has taught me anything, it is that I need to look at how I accept trials and tribulations. Do I sit around playing the victim card, or do I pick up my cross and follow Him? This layoff surely isn't easy, but can I look past the tribulations and trust that God has a plan? 

Thirdly, I'm remembering that God only gives me what I can handle.

As I just stated, I know I'm called to look at God's plan in all of this, and honestly, that is what provides me with the most peace. He has a plan for this whole thing, but right now, it might not make sense. But hey, just look at Jesus' passion, death and resurrection. If we just decided it was all over on Good Friday, we'd miss Jesus' resurrection a few days later. 

Fourthly, God's telling me that His timing is the best timing.

This is something I'm still wrapping my head around, but I know to be true. I find myself asking God, "Why did I move here if this was going to happen just a few months down the road?" But the response he has given me has been just two words - "Be Patient." Right now, I'm trying to let that be enough. 

And Lastly, He keeps telling me to count my blessings.

Remembering how fortunate I am has been key to handling this whole process. Yes, I'm without work for the time being but I have a place to live, food on the table, a car, friends and family who care for me, and above all else, a God who died for me on the cross so that one day I can live with Him in his heavenly kingdom. If that isn't enough for me, I do not think anything will be.

So yes, I'm down on some tough times right now, but God is so good, and through it all, he'll help me brave the rough and stormy seas. To God be praised, now and forever.