When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.    Luke 5 : 8 - 10

Reading for this week : Luke 5 : 1 - 11

Thought for the week

In our Gospel reading Jesus comes to the fishermen who have been working all night. They are drained, exhausted, empty. Their boats are left by the shore idle, a sign of a night of hard work, maybe almost abandoned for a time.

It is good to remember and pray for those who work all night for us. The emergency services, the hospitals and care homes. Also those who ensure we have power and water. Those answering call outs in emergencies. Those waiting for the sound of a phone, alarm or a buzzer.

There is the quietness of the night. When thoughts loom larger. When problems are that much bigger. Including for fishermen, having to work in the dark. Knowing they have to depend on themselves and each other. When the need to call on the Lord for help is so much bigger and more urgent.

Let’s remember those who work all night and come to the new day exhausted. Let’s also remember how Jesus met with the fishermen there. How he promises to meet with us, fill us, bring new life into our loneliness and exhaustion. Jesus who is the Lord who guides us, teaches, encourages us, and then sits with us, and stays. Jesus who loves each of us beyond all we can really know.

Rev Paul

Prayer for this week

O God,

you know us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers,

that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright:

grant to us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers

and carry us through all temptations;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

Amen