A Contemplation From the Gospel of John

I used to struggle with the idea of Faith. I always thought that I was responsible for increasing it and I had to practice it. This always made me feel like a failure because I would sometimes feel I was doing things to increase my faith: more prayer time for example….. But then I would always fail in some way. I would forget the prayers I had promised I would pray. This made me feel inadequate. That would never have any sort of faith at all.

But faith, as the theological virtue, is not something that I can practice. It is a gift from God. He revealed this to me as I meditated on this passage from The Gospel of John.

Jesus Feeds the Disciples

When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered Him, “No.” So He said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. -John 21:4-12

I imagine myself walking along the Sea of Tiberias collecting firewood. I come across a man, Jesus, standing at the shoreline.

He asks, “May I use some of the wood you have collected to make a fire?”

I set the small armful I had managed to collect down before Him. He carefully selects two of the sticks from my pile and begins the arduous task of getting a fire going. He labors manually for a few minutes and I watch as He skillfully rubs the stick together, creating a small ember.

I thought it would go out as a breeze blows across the sea, but He carefully tends to it. First adding small pieces, then larger ones. In a short time, He has a blaze started. A blaze that cannot go out under His care.

The Joy and Understanding of Faith

I could feel it within me when the contemplation ended. The fire of joy in my heart. A joy that leads to a deeper understanding of Jesus and the gifts He offers.

It is an understanding that is carefully and skillfully tended by the Lord. He labors endlessly to keep the flame of faith ablaze in my heart. When I fall into despair He keeps the ember hot. When I need a little push He fans the flames to get me moving. When I am blown off course, He shields the flame from the breeze.

Don’t be afraid to ask Him to tend to the flame of faith within you. Ask Him to tend to it when you fall into despair. Ask Him to shield it when you fall away. Ask Him to stoke it for the tasks He has in store for you.

Thrive in Jesus, my Friends!

Pray for the Gift of Faith today!

How has the Lord increased your faith? Where have you seen Him laboring for you? Where have you seen Him tending to you? Leave a comment and let me know!