Overcoming Discouragement

Good morning happy Saturday and blessings.
 
Today's Gospel reading, John 21: 20-25, confronts me with this question: How will you maintain your focus in Jesus discipleship in the face of discouragement? All of us deal with discouragement in one form or another, throughout our lives. “Discouragement” covers a broad range of concepts. The verb to discourage means “to deprive of confidence, hope or spirit, afflict, beat down, demoralize, depress, dismay, distress, frighten, intimidate, irk, and trouble are synonyms of the word discourage.
 
John’s gospel gives us insight about focus. Amazingly, John chose not to end his gospel with the ascension. How could he not want end on such a high note. It doesn’t get any better than having Jesus disappearing into the clouds, while the angels are saying, “This same Jesus is coming again in like manner.” No, John concludes with this fascinating story of a weary Simon Peter and several discouraged disciples on an unsuccessful fishing expedition.
 
It's easy to get lost and overwhelmed in the chaos, responsibilities, and challenges of life. Once overwhelmed, it's tempting to forget about the vision and leave the assignment which at one time was near and dear to your heart. I've found that it's helpful to keeping asking, "What's really important?" Reminding myself of the most important things helps me keep my priorities straight. We can quickly lose focus and get lost in the busy-ness of life. Keeping focus each day helps me keep my actions in line with my goals. Keeping focused proves to be challenging for almost everyone, but especially for those in ministry. This is part of the reality that we are living with the coronavirus pandemic where many believers have lost Jesus as their leading focus.
The faithful disciples of the Lord Jesus found themselves facing the same problem. Their lives had been filled with turbulence the last few days. The events were almost unbelievable, from the arrest of Jesus in the garden, the mocked trial with its guilty verdict, the betrayal by Judas and Peter. Peter, one of Christ’s inner circle, had been humbled by guilt and shame. Peter had fled weeping bitterly in anguish. The rest of the disciples had deserted their Lord and scattered in fear. Remember, after the crucifixion, an alarming report by the women proclaimed, “He has risen from the dead. He has risen as He said.” The disciples, slow in heart to believe found themselves hiding behind the closed doors of an upper room, when suddenly; Jesus appeared and stood in their midst, proclaiming, “Peace be unto you.” One can only imagine the joy of that reunion. The Bible records several appearances of the Lord Jesus as he showed himself alive by many infallible proofs.

So, what do we do when Jesus is not around? What do we do when Jesus is silent? How will we maintain our focus in the face of discouragement? Jesus should be our focus -- not the things we do for Him -- not religious activity -- not people -- but the person of Jesus, the Lord and Christ.

Blessings

Fr. Luis+