ScriptureOnce 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. (Luke 5.1-11)ReflectionSimon is so shocked, he asks Jesus to depart from him. He recognises that higher powers are at play here and feels keenly that he is just completely inadequate; “a sinful man”. But aren’t we all in the presence of Jesus? And Jesus is not worried about that. He knows of what we are made. It is not through our utter perfection that he can reach people, but because we open ourselves to his power in humility, so that he can work through and with us, inadequate and sinful as we are. Recognising our limitations are not a barrier to being his followers and co-workers, but a necessary first step. What does Jesus mean when he promises that the disciples would, from now on, be catching people instead of fish? We can no more ‘bring people to Jesus’ than the fishermen could catch the fish without his help! But we can tell them about him, and about our own relationship with God made possible through his life, death and resurrection. And then we can safely leave it to Jesus to do the rest.Revd Ylva
Scripture:Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ (Luke 2:28-32)Reflection:Words from Luke’s gospel as Mary and Joseph bring the baby Jesus to the Temple to present him, and the encounter with Simeon and Anna. From this scripture we get the words – that have been set to many pieces of music – the words of the Nunc Dimittis; the Latin meaning being “Now you let depart”. It is also known as the “Song of Simeon”.Simeon has been guided to the Temple that day; and he meets this couple, Mary and Joseph, with their baby. But he encounters, in the baby, the Messiah – the Saviour. He has an “epiphany”. He had been promised he would see the Messiah before he died; and today he does! He is overjoyed. Now I can die with a peaceful heart, he is saying. Then Anna, an old woman – and a prophet – meets the Messiah in this baby Jesus. She too “knows”. She praises God and tells everyone she can!This same Jesus is our Saviour too. Have you encountered him? If so, have you responded like Simeon: with joy? Will you respond like Anna, and praise God and tell others?Revd David
Scripture:'Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ The men who were travelling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.' (Acts 9.1-9)Reflection: In Damascus Ananias, an ‘ordinary’ Christian man, was told by God to go to Paul, heal his blindness and baptise him. Knowing Paul’s reputation and his purpose in coming to Damascus it took enormous faith and courage for Ananias to do this, but he did as God had told him. And the rest is history! Paul went on to become a major figure in the spreading of the Christian faith, both by his indefatigable preaching and by his letters which are still a source of teaching and inspiration to us today. Paul fully believed that he was right, and even that he had God’s authority and approval for his actions. He is neither the first nor the last to claim that God is on his side while committing acts totally contrary to the will of God. What a contrast to Ananias, whose life of faith and prayer allowed God to use him to further His purposes through a totally changed Paul. His humility and courage echo the words of Jesus: ‘Your will, not mine, be done’. Heavenly Father, give us grace to know your will for us, and courage to carry it out.Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen
