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Vocation Meditation -
August 7, 2011
“I wait for the Lord, I hope in his word”
Gospel Acclamation
The disciples of Jesus in today’s Gospel were being trained by Jesus to grow in trust of God. After the miracle of feeding over 5,000 people with five barley loaves and two fish, Jesus puts them into their boat and sends them off on their own to cross the lake. During the night the lake becomes stormy, like life sometimes. We can be sure the disciples were wondering where Jesus was. In the early morning He appears walking towards them on the water and they are frightened. ‘Is this a ghost?” After reassuring them about who He really is, Jesus is tested by Peter who asks Jesus to let him come out on the water. When Jesus invites him, “Come!” Peter’s courage and faith are short lived. Quickly he loses his focus on Jesus, becoming more concerned about his own safety and quickly starts sinking. Forced to cry out: “Lord save me!” Peter is rescued by Jesus, who scolds him for his lack of faith.
It’s all about training them in their vocation with Jesus, to learn to fully trust on God whenever the storms of life become intense. This is a vital lesson for the disciples who will later face many hardships as His apostles in witnessing to the Christ’s death and resurrection.
Today’s Gospel reassures young men and women who respond to the call of Christ whether in the vocation of priesthood, religious life, marriage or as a single person, that you can count on Christ to be with you and to lead through whatever challenges you face in living out your vocation. May we remember that the vocational call originates from Christ, who is ready and eager to accompany us always.
Vocation Reflection
Peter risked stepping out of the boat on his own, but found Jesus right there to pull him up from sinking. How often I have felt my faith become very weak in the face of adversity, those moments, those storms that come up at times in daily life? I realize that I do not have the strength on my own to accomplish what you want me to become. Peter has shown me the key is being united with you, focused on you, doing everything in and through you.
Prayer
O’ Lord, help me to humbly grow in faith, trusting that You are always with me at my side, as I learn to serve you more fully with my whole being. Amen.
For the full Gospel reading for this Sunday, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops site.