“Have you caught anything, friends?” Jn. 21:5.
Strive to be faithful, for “God has called us to be faithful and not successful” (St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta).
Don’t you know that the fear of failure is the beginning of failure in itself? So many people fail because they spend all their energies in not failing.
For the past two days some friends have been complaining how they have failed in their journey of holiness. Listening to them revealed a deep sincere effort in this journey of holiness. One in particular felt real bad that she fell. I could imagine their sense of disappointment.
But I discovered something else which probably you too might also be involved with – they had their energies focused on their fall and not on Jesus. This my friend is the real problem. The focus should and must always be on Jesus and on nothing else. The fall is only a distraction from your set goal, so if all your energies are geared towards the distraction, how then can you be victorious in this journey?
Peter and Judas both did something really bad. But there was a big difference between them. Both were remorseful though for their actions but Judas focused his energy totally on the fall and it led him in taking his own life (cf. Mt. 27:3-5); Peter on the other hand had his eyes on Jesus and was given the task of feeding the sheep and the lambs (cf. Jn. 21:15-17).
Falls are bound to happen. In fact majority of them if not all have been programmed to happen by the enemy of our souls so that he can distract us from God. Remember its agenda (Jn. 10:10)? Job’s case is a clear cut evidence but in all of his sufferings he had his eyes on the Lord; he even glorified the Lord for it (just take some time out and read the book of Job).
The falls are bound and programmed to happen, so don’t waste your time and energies on not wanting them to happen rather discover that inner joy, peace and strength there in. Dont you know that there is peace in the eye of every storm? When the surface of the river is very rough and turbulent, deep underneath there is calm and peace.
Christ is the calm and peace underneath every fall, programmed or not. Isaiah 43:2 says: “When you pass through the waters, I WILL be with you ….” Why? For “I have redeemed you” (v.1). Psalm 23:4 says: “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are there by my side. With your journey rod and your staff you will comfort me.”
King David who composed this wonderful prayer knew he had to focus solely on God even in his predicament. “… Be courageous. Do not fear obstacles, but fix your gaze upon the Passion of My Son, and in this way you will be victorious (St. Faustina’s Diary no.449).
Listen dear friend, it is not the number of falls or obstacles that comes your way that matters but your ability and sheer determination to get back on your feet and carry on with your eyes set solely on Jesus when they happen.
Believe it, Jesus is always there calling as always: “Have you caught anything, friends?” (Jn. 21:5). “I stand at the door and knick. If anyone hears my call and opens the door, I will come in and have supper with him, and he with me” Rev. 3:20.
My most sweet and adorable Jesus, the distractions are too much and my fear of not falling has all the time derailed me from actually focusing on your sublime Passion where my victory lies. Make me realize dear compassionate Jesus that you are always there with me calling as always for me to draw strength by gazing on your victorious cross. Amen.
Why not sing prayerfully today this song: “I have decided to follow Jesus (3x), no turning back, no turning back….” Pray too with Ps. 16,23&121; likewise with St. Pio’s “Stay with me, Lord.” Study the 11th chapter of the book of the prophet Jeremiah.
SHEPHERD ME O LORD, BEYOND MY STRENGTH.
By Fr. Charles Emore