Trusting in God’s Guidance

Saint Teresa of Kolkata, Memorial

1 Corinthians 3:18-23. Luke 5:1-11

We all have our limited experiences – experiences of hitting the wall, reaching the dead end, and touching the bottom of the well. In such circumstances, we are called to look up to God and trust God’s guidance. Today’s readings offer us profound lessons on the importance of trusting God’s guidance over our understanding. They remind us that true wisdom and fulfilment come from following God’s direction, even when it challenges our human reasoning.

1. The Wisdom of God vs. The Wisdom of the World

In the first reading (1 Corinthians 3:18-23), St. Paul warns us not to be deceived by the wisdom of this world. He challenges the Corinthians – and us – to become “fools” in the eyes of the world so that we may be truly wise in God’s eyes. The world often values intelligence, status, and self-reliance, but Paul reminds us that these can be stumbling blocks if they lead us away from trusting in God.

Trusting in God’s guidance means recognizing that His wisdom surpasses our own. It requires humility, acknowledging that our human understanding is limited and that God’s ways are higher than ours. By surrendering our pride and relying on God’s wisdom, we open ourselves to His divine plan, which ultimately leads to true wisdom and life.

2. Obedience Even When It Doesn’t Make Sense

The gospel reading (Luke 5:1-11) illustrates the power of trusting in God’s guidance through the story of Peter and the miraculous catch of fish. After a night of fruitless fishing, Peter is tired and skeptical when Jesus tells him to lower the nets again. Yet, despite his doubts, Peter obeys Jesus’ command and is rewarded with an overwhelming catch.

This passage teaches us that trust in God often requires us to act in faith, even when His instructions seem illogical or contrary to our own experiences. Peter might have thought how come a carpenter order a fisherman! Peter’s obedience, despite his initial hesitation, demonstrates the blessing that comes from trusting in Jesus’ word. We are reminded that God sees beyond our circumstances and knows what is best for us. Our role is to trust and obey, even when it’s difficult or doesn’t make sense.

3. God’s Guidance Leads to Abundance and Mission

Finally, both readings show us that trusting in God’s guidance leads to abundance and a deeper sense of mission. In Luke 5:10, after witnessing the miracle, Peter is called by Jesus to become a “fisher of men.” Peter’s willingness to trust Jesus not only results in a miraculous catch of fish but also in a new calling that will change his life forever.

Similarly, when we trust in God’s guidance, we experience His blessings in ways we might not have imagined. But more than that, we are often called to participate in His work in the world. Trusting in God opens us to His purpose for our lives, leading us to serve Him and others in ways that bring true fulfilment and joy.

Reflection on Mother Teresa

As we consider the theme of trusting in God’s guidance, we can look to the example of St. Teresa of Kolkata, known affectionately as Mother Teresa, whose memory we recall today. Her life was a witness to radical trust in God’s will, even in the face of doubt, hardship, and inner darkness. Despite the challenges she faced, Mother Teresa continued to follow God’s guidance in serving the poorest of the poor, believing that each act of love and service was a response to God’s call. Her legacy teaches us that trusting in God’s guidance often leads us to a life of profound impact, even in the most humble and hidden ways.

I will open your graves and I will put my Spirit

Ezekiel 37: 1-14/ Matthew 22: 34-40

Mediterranean Sea is the sea which starts from the Atlantic Ocean to Asia and Separate Europe from Africa. It has been considered the cradle of world civilization. But in the recent years, This sea is also becoming a graveyard for many refugees and immigrants who were traveling to Europe with the hope of life. Many migrants/refugees who want to travel Europe for the life, become food for the sea animals. UN report says, only one-year 2021, it was estimated that 1,369 migrants died while crossings the Mediterranean Sea. the Pope Francis said Sunday that the recent deaths of 130 migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea marked “a moment of shame." 

Once the pope referred and said: “I confess I am extremely sad over the tragedy that has once again taken place in the Mediterranean. One hundred thirty migrants died in the sea. They are people. They are human beings who begged for help in vain for two whole days -- help that never arrived.”

How the Church and leaders are able to play the role of Ezekiel preaching God’s word to give life to the dried bones.

The burial is the sacred rite for the Jews. The Jewish Cemetery on Mount of Olives is the oldest Jewish Cemetery in the world and has some tombs that are 3,000 years old dating back to the time of King David. There are 150,000 graves in the Jewish cemetery. Many wealthy Jews still ask to be buried in this cemetery, with the hope that at the end of time, on the day of judgment. According to Jewish tradition, the Messiah will come from the Golden Gate they will rise earlier than those who are buried elsewhere.

Such a people experienced undignified burials during the time of Exile. They were not given tombs to be buried. God does not want them to be buried under the earth. He wants to give them life. This time He sends his prophet to prophesy the word of God to them (God does not do directly like the creation of Adam). Here creation takes place in two processes. The first time when Ezekiel prophesies bones came together, bone joining bone, flesh comes upon them, and the skin covers them. but there was no spirit in them.

The love of neighbour is the second commandment that binds our human relationship into the world. It is like a skeleton without spirit. 

Here starts the second process. Prophesying again, the sprit came upon them. They become alive. 

What an analogy?  In exile, Israelites found hope in Prophet Ezekiel’s Word of God. The prophet's visions after the fall of Jerusalem led to the creation of a new Jewish identity.

How do I prophesy like the Prophet Ezekiel? 

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When you go from your country to another foreign country, you face a lot of difficulties like the people of Israel. Today's first reading. the passage of Ez 37 should be understood in the context of the Babylonian Exile. The People of Israel experienced for the first time the Babylonian captivity for 50 years (not like the Egyptian 400). Many people experienced famine, starvation and died. the people were not given a good burial. they were thrown for the animals and birds. 

The burial is the sacred rite for the Jews. The Jewish Cemetery on Mount of Olives is the oldest in the world and has some tombs that are 3,000 years old dating back to the time of King David. There are 150,000 graves in the Jewish cemetery. Many wealthy Jews still ask to be buried in this cemetery, with the hope that at the end of time, on the day of judgment. According to Jewish tradition, the Messiah will come from the Golden Gate they will rise earlier than those who are buried elsewhere.

Such a people experienced undignified burials during the time of Exile. They were not given tombs to be buried. God does not want them to be buried under the earth. God is asking the Prophet to prophesy to the bones and give them hope so that they may not return to the land with the bones alone. How to encourage, console, and inspire them, ask the prophet to prophesy... 

To prophesy in two processes. (God does not do directly like the creation of Adam). Here creation takes place in two processes. The first time when Ezekiel prophesies bones came together, bone joining bone, the flesh comes upon them, and the skin covers them. but there was no spirit in them. Love of God and Love of humanity. 

He who has hope, everything. do not lose hope, if you lose hope, you lose everything, do not think that the prophesy will change the persons, the place and everything. 

God's generosity through the unexpected wages

Ezekiel 34:1-11. Matthew 20:1-16

Today’s Gospel reading presents us with the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. This parable, as told by Jesus, challenges our understanding of justice, fairness, and the boundless generosity of God.

In the story, a landowner goes out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. He agrees to pay them a denarius for the day’s work—a fair wage. As the day progresses, he goes out again at the third, sixth, ninth, and even eleventh hour, hiring more workers and promising to pay them “whatever is right.” At the end of the day, he pays each worker the same wage, regardless of how many hours they worked. Naturally, those who worked all day grumble, feeling it is unfair that those who worked only one hour receive the same pay.

This parable might resonate with us in a world that values fairness and equal pay for equal work. We are inclined to sympathize with those who laboured longer, thinking they deserve more. But Jesus uses this parable to reveal a deeper truth about the Kingdom of Heaven—God’s ways are not our ways.

God’s Generosity: At the heart of this parable is the extraordinary generosity of God. The landowner in the story represents God, who pours out His love and grace abundantly and freely. Just as the landowner gave equally to all, God offers His mercy, forgiveness, and salvation to everyone, no matter when they come to Him. It is a reminder that we cannot earn God’s grace by our own efforts. The denarius given to the workers is not merely a reward for their labour; it symbolizes the gift of eternal life. Whether we have served God our whole lives or only come to faith later, the reward is the same, eternal union with God.

The Call to Humility: The parable also calls us to humility. The early labourers grumble because they compare themselves to others. How often do we, too, fall into the trap of comparing our lives, our works, our faith, to those of others? This comparison leads to jealousy, resentment, and a sense of entitlement, forgetting that everything we have is a gift from God. God’s Kingdom operates on principles of grace, not human merit. Our worth before God is not based on our accomplishments or the number of hours we have served but on His unmerited love for each of us.

Invitation to Trust in God’s Ways: Finally, this parable invites us to trust in God’s ways, even when they seem mysterious or unfair by human standards. God’s justice is always tempered with mercy. He sees the hearts of all His children and knows their needs. He is more concerned with our salvation than with a strict calculation of our deeds.

In this way, the parable encourages us to rejoice in God’s generosity to others and to recognize that His blessings are not diminished when shared. We should be grateful that God’s love knows no bounds, that He is patient, and that He calls us at every stage of life. God’s Kingdom is not about what we deserve but about what God generously gives. May we open our hearts to receive His grace with gratitude and humility. In God’s vineyard, there is room for everyone, and the reward is eternal life with Him.