THE UNMAKING WAYS OF JESUS
Peter, who grew up in Capernaum by the Lake of Galilee, could have known the ways of the fishermen since his younger years. But our Gospel story tells us that this time, Peter failed, and a carpenter from Galilee had to guide him on how to cast his net so he could have a good catch. The point of our reading, though, is not about who was more superior in fishing. The narrative wants to teach us something deeper: the manner of divine calling. We are made to see that God, through Jesus, unmakes us and unsettles us before He reveals to us His great plan.
In the Old Testament, God unmade all of Abram’s plans to just remain in Ur where he and his family seemed to have made a fortune that could comfortably support them through old age. God called Abram to leave everything behind and begin anew in a strange land.
In the New Testament, we are familiar with the calling of the man called Saul, a Pharisee from the tribe of Benjamin. While he was travelling to Damascus, armed with letters from his Jewish leaders, and confident about his religious belief in the Mosaic traditions, Saul was shocked by God with “greater light” so he could be converted into the Christian way.
God breaks us not because He loves to but because there are good things that come from unsettling and breaking experiences. Among these are:
We are humbled. Out of our comfort zones, we see our littleness and we are corrected of our wrong and often bloated view of ourselves.
We come to know our blind spots. We tend to overestimate ourselves and emphasize our strengths too much. We often ignore our weaknesses or gloss over them. Breaking and unsettling experiences help us experience and realize the truth of our defects. Corollary to this, we appreciate what others can do to complement and supplement us.
We feel our need for God. Our being broken and humbled allow us not only to find a room for others, but for the Great Other who is God. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What personal experiences broke you and unsettled your plans for your life? How did they help you find the life direction that you now have?
Lord Jesus, You know all things. You know Your plans for my life. Thank You for redirecting my plans because Yours are the best for me.
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