February 7, 2010: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

If it is not easy to trust Jesus or your parents sometimes, ask God to help you.

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Teacher, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. (Luke 5:1-7)

Because Simon (Peter) and the other fishermen did what Jesus suggested, they took in an enormous number of fish. Later in this Gospel passage we read that Peter regretted doubting Jesus. He was sorry for not trusting Jesus. I can’t help but think how familiar this sounds. For example, your mom or dad may ask you to do something. How often do you think to yourself “I know better than my parents what I should do”?
I am not saying that your parents are always right. But, they probably do know, better than you, what is for your own good.

Action:

Maybe you always do what your mom or dad tells you to do. If that is the case, ignore this suggested action. The next time you are tempted to argue with one of your parents, do what they ask you to do without questioning or complaining!

Ash Wednesday is February 17th. Lent will begin. This Lent think about “giving up” arguing with your parents instead of giving up candy.