Thursday 2 September 2021
Today is Thursday the 2 September, in the 22nd week of Ordinary time.
Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Lamb of God’.
Today, we will enter into our scripture passage imaginatively.
As you listen and pray through this exercise, feel free to press pause and take more time when you need it. Let the Holy Spirit lead you by the way your heart and imagination take you, even if that’s in another direction than what is suggested…
As you begin, become aware of your breathing, relaxing and falling still in God’s loving presence . . .
First, we familiarise ourselves with the passage 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.
Begin to see this scene in your mind’s eye . . . the crowd pressing around Jesus at the lakeside. . . the sights and sounds and smells of the lake: the boats and fishermen washing their nets… who are you in this scene? . . . one of the crowd near Jesus or hovering on the edge of the scene… perhaps Simon or one of Zebedee’s fishing team, James or John… Perhaps Jesus himself? . . . . . .
Take some time to imagine the scene and the people. What is it like by the lake? Don’t worry getting the details right – this is about sensing the general atmosphere. . .
let the lake and the boats surround you, the people within the scene . . . notice the landscape, the sights and sounds, the feel of the crowd . . . where are you in all this? . . . notice the other set of people, the fishermen at work . . . feel the sand of the shore in your toes, the contrast between lake and land and sky… what is the mood among the crowd. . . among the fishermen, as they also watch Jesus and listen to him… What is he saying? How do you feel as you hear him?... Take time to let the scene and the story unfold . .
Watch as Jesus calls out to Simon, a carpenter telling a fisherman his business . . . Simon responds… what do you imagine his feelings are? . . . Suddenly the boat keels to one side, weighed down unexpectedly with fish. Despite his lifelong experience, Simon struggles and has to call for help… How do the other fishermen and the crowd react? Simon is overwhelmed and falls at Jesus’ feet . . . how do they both seem to you? . . . What is driving Simon’s feelings when he asks Jesus to leave him? How does Jesus feel in response to Simon’s words?
Turn your attention now to the other disciples in Zebedee’s boat. They have been watching and listening from the side, but they are suddenly caught up in the drama… Perhaps you are one of them. What have been your feelings and thoughts as you listen? What is your reaction to this sudden bonanza of fish?
Now Jesus speaks: words of promise and invitation… Whether you are in the crowd or one of the fishermen, how do these words strike you? ‘From now on you will be catching people’ – what does this mean for you, within your own experience?
The narrative ends here but this is only the beginning of the adventure as fishermen become disciples. . . let it continue in your imagination . . . follow as one of the crowd, watching others being called . . . or perhaps as Zebedee, seeing his sons leave… as Jesus, gathering his disciples to spread the good news… as one of the new disciples, perhaps wondering what they have got themselves into… speak to them, allowing this story to continue in some way that feels spontaneous and unforced, noticing what feelings are involved as you play your part in it . . . take your time in giving yourself an opportunity to speak with Jesus or with any other character, saying whatever comes to mind…
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.