SURRENDERING TO DIVINE WISDOM

Reflection for Thursday of the 22^nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year A
(1 Cor 3:18-23; Lk 5:1-11)

Sometimes, when people climb some height in academics, they gradually become lukewarm or drop their faith. Of course, St Paul had a hard time arguing with the Greeks, who were known for their intelligence, about faith in the resurrection (Acts 17:16-34). Today there is more of ‘social knowledge’ than deep intellectual knowledge. In other words, we are more exposed to knowledge about the ‘use of things’ than the ‘Being of things.’ But listen to what St Paul says as we continue to journey with him this Week: “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God.”

Therefore, those who have human wisdom should not boast about it, for all wisdom belongs to God (Prov 2:6), and all things are under Him. It becomes self deception, as St Paul said, for one to hold his human knowledge as the ultimate and disregard divine wisdom. That is why Christ’s faithful surrender their hearts, knowledge and possession to God through Jesus Christ. Go, sell all you have, come and follow me (Cf. Mt 19:21). Example of this is what Simon Peter did in the Gospel, where he gave up his empty boat for Jesus to use. The fishermen were washing their nets when Jesus requested for the boat. They sacrificed their time and waited for Jesus to round up. At the end, Jesus sent them back to the sea to search for fish. As a professional, with long time knowledge of fishing, Peter answered him, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!” However, he surrendered his human knowledge to that of Jesus and said, “But at your word I will let down the nets.”

The catch was amazing! The empty boats were now at sinking point, full of fish. Peter was astonished. He ran to Jesus and surrendered his heart to him, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Jesus invited him to greater self-offering: “Do not be afraid; henceforth, you will be catching men.” Interestingly, they left everything and followed him.

As we are exposed to knowledge in the social media, academics, etc, we must be ready to surrender to the Divine Wisdom that supersedes. As we offer up the little we have, God draws us to greater heights, which in turns demands greater self-surrender till we achieve perfect union with Him. Peter offered his empty boat, left behind the boat full of fish, offered his heart to Jesus, then he followed him completely with total commitment. Whatever we know or have that cannot be offered to God is an idol. May the Lord Jesus bless our labours today that they may bear fruit, so we may follow Him wholeheartedly. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Thursday September 3^rd, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com