Thursday 7 September 2023

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Today is Thursday 7 September, in the 22nd week of Ordinary time.

Doe and Matt Maher with The Porter’s Gate sing, ‘Christ Is Lower Still’.

Breathe in, reach out

Touch the hem of your garment now

Help me, heal me

My mind, my body, and soul

Let the king descend, living word made flesh

Lift this heavy heart to your throne o God

In his wounds I find room for all of mine

When from grace I fell, Christ was lower still

Humbly, lowly

Jesus waits in the valley

My Savior suffers with me

With Him, I'll rise again

Let the king descend, living word made flesh

Lift this heavy heart to your throne o God

In his wounds I find room for all of mine

When from grace I fell, Christ was lower

Let the king descend, living word made flesh

Lift this heavy heart to your throne o god

In his wounds I find room for all of mine

When from grace I fell, Christ was lower

Til the earth is filled, Christ is lower still

We lift it all up to you Lord

We lift it all up to you Lord

We lift it all up to you Lord

We lift it all up to you Lord

We lift it all up to you Lord

We lift it all up to you Lord

We lift it all up to you Lord

We lift our heads we lift our hands

We lift it all up to you Lord

We lift our dreams we lift our plans

We lift it all up to you Lord

We lift our sorrow and our pain

We lift it all up to you Lord

We cast our cares on you again

We lift it all up to you Lord

We cast our cares on you again

We lift it all up to you Lord

Let the king descend, living word made flesh

Lift this heavy heart to your throne o God

In his wounds I find room for all of mine

When from grace I fell, Christ was lower

Let the king descend, living word made flesh

Lift this heavy heart to your throne o God

In his wounds I find room for all of mine

When from grace I fell, Christ was lower

Til the earth is filled, Christ is lower still

Lower still

Lower still

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 5:1-11

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

Today’s reading lends itself to imaginative contemplation. As we place ourselves at the scene, we may experience a response that is different to the written or spoken word. Perhaps this is a way of prayer that is familiar to you?

Here, we are by the Sea of Galilee, a place of industry and commerce. Compose the place in your imagination…what do you see? What can you hear?

This isn’t quite the place where you might expect a preacher. There are other things on peoples’ minds. Do you have a sense of why Jesus has come here to teach?

In the background, you see the fishermen, washing nets after a thankless night’s fishing. Perhaps you wonder why Jesus would approach them, looking tired and probably disgruntled. Yet these are the people he goes to. Did Simon even listen to what Jesus had to say? How do you imagine it unfolding?

You hear Jesus tell Simon to try again. What is Simon Peter’s response like for you? Has there been a time when you have felt that you have done all you can? The thought of one more thing…?

You see the miraculous gift for Simon Peter’s, albeit hesitant, obedience. Fish filling the nets, straining them to the point of breaking. Ridiculous generosity. Enough for all.

How do you respond to Simon Peter’s words: "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." Jesus has a different idea. In this moment, place yourself in Simon Peter’s shoes… can you feel the power of God's grace and love?

See how Jesus calls Simon Peter, as he is, with all his weaknesses and failures, and will make of him a fisher of men. Consider how this call, that begins with Simon Peter, calls out to each of us.

‘Do not be afraid.’ An assurance that we will hear over and over. Take this time to share with the Lord any times when you have felt inadequate or unworthy of God's call. Give thanks for his unwavering love and ask for the grace you need today.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.