Diving Deeper

“It’s time for you to swim into the deep end,” My Mom declared as I popped my head out of the shallow water of my grandma’s pool.

My six-year-old heart skipped a beat as I gazed across to the other side of the pool. Swimming there looked daunting. Sure, my older sister laughed with enjoyment as she effortlessly swam from side to side. Even my brother, a year younger than me, managed to doggy paddle in the deep end, though with visible effort.

“Come on, Joseph, you need to swim,” my Dad coaxed, his tone unpleasant. I was scared out of my mind, comfortable only in the shallow end where my feet could touch. My Mom extended her hand, urging me  to follow. Reluctantly, I ventured into the deep end, recalling what I previously learned to do. I kicked and stretched out my legs, turning my head to catch breaths of air. After a few laps, my heart stopped racing, and I began to swim in the deeper water with ease. With each lap, my confidence grew, until finally, I found myself enjoying swimming in the deep end. 

Reflecting years later on my experience of swimming in deeper waters, I am reminded of the pivotal moment when Jesus asked the apostles to cast their nets into the deeper waters. Just as the apostles faced uncertainty and doubt before obeying Jesus’ command, I too grappled with fear and reluctance before venturing into the unknown depths of my spiritual journey.

(Luke 5:4-11 NIV)

“When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”

Going deeper in our spiritual lives can feel just as daunting. We might feel comfortable where we are, much like I did in the shallow end. Or we may even feel unworthy like Peter. However, if we truly want to live life to the fullest with Christ, we must venture into the deeper waters. It requires more than the occasional confession or rushed nightly examination. More than monthly volunteer work or yearly retreats. It demands a commitment to dive deeper, to explore the depths of our faith. 

Our world is filled with distractions, making it challenging to focus on even the simplest tasks like cooking dinner or doing laundry, let alone nurturing our spiritual lives. Living in a deeper spiritual journey may feel like it's a lot to juggle, especially during demanding times such as caring for a newborn or working long shifts. However, amidst the busyness of life, there is always an opportunity to pray and be in communion with God in our hearts.

The difference between canonized saints and the average Catholic lies in their commitment to navigating deeper spiritual waters. They were not afraid to “give up everything and follow Christ.” While some saints were able to do this by embracing vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, others somehow lived a deep interior life in the chaos of daily life.

Embarking on a journey into deeper spiritual realms often requires surrendering aspects of our lives. This may entail giving up something of more substance during Lent. It may also refrain some of us from saying cuss words or limiting our alcohol consumption. This trek will make us completely die to ourselves rather than only partially. It calls us to actively engage in our own and humanity’s path to Heaven, rather than passively cheering from the sidelines.  

Wherever you may find yourself today, I encourage you to swim into deeper waters. Rely on the basics that you know. Use spiritual books, apps, and guidance from your faith community to assist you in navigating these deeper waters. If you do not have a spiritual director, find one! And If you currently aren’t actively engaged in your parish, consider taking on a role such as  being a lector or Eucaristic minister. Above all, take the time to pray more. 

There are great spiritual benefits awaiting those who delve into the depths of their faith, as exemplified in the passage from Luke 5. Obeying Jesus and going into the deep not only yielded an amazing catch but also marked the start of a mission that would fulfill each apostle. However, the greatest benefit is Christ fully living in and through us. What an incomparable joy and blessing it is to be intimately connected to our Creator in this way.