Includes Sermon Audio
Sentence:
Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, and was buried, and was raised on the 3rd day in accordance with the Scriptures, and appeared to many. 1 Corinthians 15:3 – 4
Collect of the day
Most holy God, in whose presence angels serve in all, and whose glory fills all heaven and earth; cleans our unclean lips and transform us by your grace so that your words spoken through us may bring many to your salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever, Amen.
Today’s readings
Isaiah 6:1 – 8
Psalm 138
1 Corinthians 15:1 – 11
Luke 5:1 – 11
next week:
Jeremiah 17: 5 – 10
Psalm 1
1 Corinthians 15:12 – 20
Luke 6:17 – 26
A thought to ponder upon
Epiphany 5 – Luke 5: 1 – 11
Commercial fishing has always been a hard way to make a living. It is hard work, sometimes with little or no reward; it requires a substantial investment of time and money for a boat in gear and their maintenance; it entails considerable risk in leaving the safety of home port for the open sea; it compels crews to work together to bring in the catch. The work of the disciples/prophet demands that same kind of hard work, risk, personal investment, patience, and sense of community.
The best fishing, Peter and his brothers knew, was done at night; little is caught during the heat of the day. So Peter’s agreeing to lower his nets at Jesus urging was, for a fisherman of Peter’s experience, an act of considerable faith. And as today’s gospel recounts, Peter’s faith is rewarded abundantly. If the first disciples of Jesus had any special grace at all, it was an openness to Jesus call and teaching.
In Luke’s account, Peter’s reaction is somewhat surprising, upon realising who Jesus is, he cowers away. In the light of Christ’s relevation, Peter recognised his own unworthiness and humbleness in the sight of God. But Jesus assures him that he has not come to drive sinners from his presence but to bring them back to God – to catch them in “net” of God’s love.
To be a “catcher of souls” demands possessing enough love to extend ourselves and reach out and “catch” and in and enough faith that God will give us the grace to make the “grab.”
Jesus challenges us to lower our nets in the “deepwater” – to risk our own security and comfort for the sake of the gospel values of compassion justice and reconciliation.
In the ordinary events of everyday we are presented with countless opportunities to uncover the extraordinary love God in our own times and places.
Many of suffer from an “inferiority complex” when it comes to God: we are neither saintly enough nor good enough nor wise enough in church protocols to consider ourselves “religious”. The reality, however, is that God works through men and women who are just like us, however imperfect.
© Connections/MediaWorks
Sermon Audio
The Reverend Josie Steytler preaches from the text after the gospel reading.
Leave a Reply