https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/013124.cfm
Faith’s Struggles
People who are serious about their relationship with God occasionally seek out a spiritual director. A common struggle is doubts about their faith in God. They don’t like doubts, but they can’t seem to stop them.
Think of an onion. You peel the first ring, and there is a second ring and another after that ring. Similarly, what was exciting in relationships with people or God is no longer fulfilling.
Nothing is wrong in the relationship. Our hearts call us to more profound knowledge and trust in each other; as we change, we must get to know each other again. Ask anyone who has been married for decades – what used to fulfill no longer does. They must go deeper into their hearts to find a new love and way of relating. That is where Jesus is waiting for them.
The people of Jesus’ hometown experienced this challenge. They knew Him as a child and the son of Joseph and Mary. “Where did he get all this?” they questioned. How can he teach as a Rabbi, and what about these miracles? They would not go deeper into their hearts to discover that Jesus is God and can relate personally with them. They couldn’t give up control.
As Jesus called the people of Nazareth, He calls us to abandon ourselves into His care. It takes tremendous trust to open our hearts and close our eyes to let the Lord take the lead.
In his book, A Society of Love, Blessed Antonio Rosmini wrote, “We have a choice, therefore. The surety and guarantee of our happiness, or we have no hope of finding it. Nothing that we possess – reason, knowledge, power, or anything else – can furnish the surety we seek.” (A Society of Love, Rosmini house, Durham, p. 28.)
The one certain thing we have is that God can never let us down. He will always provide for us. We can’t have it our way and His way. Abandonment to Jesus is the door to living in God’s providential care. WE HAVE TO GO DEEP and walk on water with Peter, keeping our eyes on Jesus.
Gospel Challenge:
Is something pressing on you right now? Do you want to do something about it and feel you must? Don’t. Pray, “Lord Jesus, I surrender myself to you. Take care of everything.”
Blessed Rosmini continues, “Almighty God himself offers us the solid support of his infallible Providence. He assures us that Providence works for us, provided we trust and believe in it, provided we abandon ourselves to live faithfully. (Ibid, p. 28- 29.)
Is God peeling off another layer of your onion? Rejoice! Everything will be new.
Trust is the narrow road we must travel to receive heaven’s blessings. TRUST AND GO DEEP.
Love Your Neighbor:
Mother Mary, “I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you, I always want to belong completely to Jesus.” The Surrender Novena – InHeartland. https://inheartland.com/pages/the-surrender-novena
Peace be with you.
Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.
pastor@bscchurch.com
