Thursday 1st August 2022. Read 1 Cor. 3:18-23, Ps. 24:1-6, Luke 5:1-11
“For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile” (1 Corinthians 3:19-20)
What does it mean to be wise in this age? Jesus asked Simon Peter to put out his nets into the deep for a catch and Peter responded: “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!” Peter was speaking with the wisdom of this age; scientific knowledge or what we know as a common experience.
Peter’s response was purely worldly; that is, without regard for what God can do. This happened quite early at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. As such, one would be safe to say Peter’s faith was not yet fully formed.
Considering the fact that Peter brought Jesus to his home and right before his eyes Jesus cured his mother-in-law and a host of others, one would realize that Peter was just like anyone of us. No matter how many years we spend with Jesus, there are times we “forget” who Jesus is.
There are times we start operating based on the wisdom of the world and then, we begin to underestimate the power of God. Peter’s faith experienced a constant rise and fall and each time he fell, Jesus picked him up. He had the faith to walk on water but soon dropped to worldly wisdom, he started being careful on water and almost drowned.
Peter denied Jesus three times because he wanted to save himself from danger using worldly wisdom. After the resurrection, this same Peter would return again to fishing after Jesus had told him in today’s encounter; “Henceforth, you will be catching men.”
From Peter’s experience, it becomes clear that there is a need for us to constantly examine ourselves. What kind of wisdom am I operating with right now? Is this decision I am about to take fuelled by worldly wisdom? Is there an element of Faith in what I am about to do? Could it be the case that Jesus is telling me to throw my net for a catch and I am protesting strongly against the move based on what I already know about fishing?
Another way we see the wisdom of the world at work is in our inability to recognise God working within human beings. By the time we begin to idolize certain men and women of God as though what they are doing is by their power, we are blind to spiritual realities.
It takes truly spiritual eyes to see that neither Paul nor Apollos is a god; that Paul’s ability to preach is not of his personal making; that Apollos’ ability to work miracles is not because of his physical qualities. It takes spiritual eyes to see that God can use anybody.
Let us pray: Almighty ever-living God, give me the grace to grow deeper in the spirit. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of week 22 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Cor. 3:18-23, Ps. 24:1-6, Luke 5:1-11).
© Rev. Fr. Evaristus
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