Faith Daily | 2 September 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST APBA p576

Lord of all power and might,

the author and giver of good things:

great in our hearts the love of your name,

increase in us true religion,

nourish us with all goodness,

and of your great mercy keep us in the same;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: 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, 2he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3He 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. 4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10and 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.” 11When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: Meredith Nicholls

The scene unfolds as Jesus asks Simon Peter to assist him by putting his boat just out from the shore so that he can teach the huge crowds. Simon is exhausted and frustrated. His fishing crew are washing their nets, which would then be stretched and prepared for use again. We can feel Peter’s frustration at Jesus’ directive to start all over again. He is a professional fisherman after all and this directive is counter- intuitive.

I wonder if Peter’s was an exasperated reply ‘But because you say so’, or whether he remembers that recently Jesus had healed his mother-in-law’s high fever (Lk 4: 38-39). Jesus can be trusted. Peter listened to and obeyed his Rabbi against his own professional judgement.

In the face of Jesus’ overwhelming goodness and miraculous provision, Peter realises that he is standing on holy ground and feels terribly unworthy. He has a moment of deep insight.

The Lord’s mercy and grace follows.

Isaiah was also overwhelmed with God’s holiness (Isa 6: 1-8) and Moses hid his face from the Lord (Ex.3:6). All three men became great Godly teachers and their greatness was not their wisdom, talents or spirituality but their response to God’s call.

FINAL PRAYER: – (Meredith)

Dear Lord,

When we feel frustrated and exasperated with the obstacles in our lives, give us the grace to listen confidently to you, believing that you can and will show us the path you desire us to walk with you.

Thank you for your grace, your mercy and your love. Amen.