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.’ Luke 5:3-5
Our meditations this week are based on Jesus’ instruction to Peter that he “put out to the deep” and our need to live fearless in Christ. Yesterday, we reflected on fear. How the unknown can inspire anxiety. How the crushing weight of our fears can overcome us when we are vulnerable, and cannot control events impacting our lives. It is essential to name our fears and place them in the compassionate, holy and wounded hands of our Savior.
We place our fears, deepest hopes, and dreams into the hands of Jesus through prayer. When we pray, we connect mystically to the original source of our being. Prayer is the eternal spring, and when we drink, our thirst is quenched by the living water.
Peter and his companions have returned from a long and unproductive night of fishing. As they are washing their nets, they are tired, frustrated, and worried. If the nets are empty, they have no income. They are fearful because, without fish, they cannot pay the bills, feed their family, or maintain the boat.
Amid all this tension, Jesus steps into their boat. “Go to the deep.” The Gospel does not specify the amount of time it took to travel from the shore to the deepest parts of the Sea of Galilee. It is not a short distance, even with a motorized boat.
Now, place yourself in the middle of the story. Imagine sitting in that boat going out to the deep. Is the sea calm or turbulent? Is the sky clear, or are the storm clouds swirling all around you? Who is in the boat with you? What is Jesus saying? We do know Jesus always spoke of the need to pray. The necessity of faith, and that our loving God, is always with us.
Over the past 2000 years, His teaching has not changed, and the power of His words are especially relevant. Whether we are alone in our homes, or on the sea headed for the deep, Jesus encourages us to talk to God. I suspect those in the boat were listening to his voice. . Their hearts and hopes lifted as he describes God's protection and great love. Do not fear.
Notice they did not turn back and continue forward to those deep and dark waters. I suspect all those in the boat pray holding the knowledge that all will be well. Each one with their own voice and petitions and all praying.
As we sit in our homes, as we journey through this desert, God in beautiful and mysterious ways grants us the voice and our unique way of praying. God seeks a heart to heart oneness. Wherever we are, let us pray. Pray through liturgy, sit in silence in front of an icon of Christ. Mumble incoherent words in times of despair or fall on your knees, acknowledging brokenness and vulnerability. Let us lift up prayers for all our siblings through the world and dance as we sing God’s praises through song. Yes, our prayers are heard through our tears of pain as well as in our joyful smiles of gratitude.
Praying always, praying intensely, and praying from the heart as we seek union with God. This holy seeking moves beyond a bargaining tool or a transactional relationship based on results. Praying from the heart leads us to a place of knowing God ever more deeply. For union with God is the answer to all our prayers.
During this time of physical separation, please do not become discouraged if you struggle with prayer, or your faith seems distant. Even the smallest seed of faith will blossom and grow. Discipleship is a long pilgrimage, but through our seeking, we encounter unexpected experiences of hope, and miracles become real.
God is leading us to a place of peace and blessings, and new wonders will follow. God is waiting, and the Holy Spirit is awakening new possibilities. We are going to the deep and, now, especially now, we are wrapped in God’s loving embrace. Seek God, pray deeply, and look for the wonders that will follow. Pray, and find yourself in a sacred space of transformation.
We place our fears, deepest hopes, and dreams into the hands of Jesus through prayer. When we pray, we connect mystically to the original source of our being. Prayer is the eternal spring, and when we drink, our thirst is quenched by the living water.
Peter and his companions have returned from a long and unproductive night of fishing. As they are washing their nets, they are tired, frustrated, and worried. If the nets are empty, they have no income. They are fearful because, without fish, they cannot pay the bills, feed their family, or maintain the boat.
Amid all this tension, Jesus steps into their boat. “Go to the deep.” The Gospel does not specify the amount of time it took to travel from the shore to the deepest parts of the Sea of Galilee. It is not a short distance, even with a motorized boat.
Now, place yourself in the middle of the story. Imagine sitting in that boat going out to the deep. Is the sea calm or turbulent? Is the sky clear, or are the storm clouds swirling all around you? Who is in the boat with you? What is Jesus saying? We do know Jesus always spoke of the need to pray. The necessity of faith, and that our loving God, is always with us.
Over the past 2000 years, His teaching has not changed, and the power of His words are especially relevant. Whether we are alone in our homes, or on the sea headed for the deep, Jesus encourages us to talk to God. I suspect those in the boat were listening to his voice. . Their hearts and hopes lifted as he describes God's protection and great love. Do not fear.
Notice they did not turn back and continue forward to those deep and dark waters. I suspect all those in the boat pray holding the knowledge that all will be well. Each one with their own voice and petitions and all praying.
As we sit in our homes, as we journey through this desert, God in beautiful and mysterious ways grants us the voice and our unique way of praying. God seeks a heart to heart oneness. Wherever we are, let us pray. Pray through liturgy, sit in silence in front of an icon of Christ. Mumble incoherent words in times of despair or fall on your knees, acknowledging brokenness and vulnerability. Let us lift up prayers for all our siblings through the world and dance as we sing God’s praises through song. Yes, our prayers are heard through our tears of pain as well as in our joyful smiles of gratitude.
Praying always, praying intensely, and praying from the heart as we seek union with God. This holy seeking moves beyond a bargaining tool or a transactional relationship based on results. Praying from the heart leads us to a place of knowing God ever more deeply. For union with God is the answer to all our prayers.
During this time of physical separation, please do not become discouraged if you struggle with prayer, or your faith seems distant. Even the smallest seed of faith will blossom and grow. Discipleship is a long pilgrimage, but through our seeking, we encounter unexpected experiences of hope, and miracles become real.
God is leading us to a place of peace and blessings, and new wonders will follow. God is waiting, and the Holy Spirit is awakening new possibilities. We are going to the deep and, now, especially now, we are wrapped in God’s loving embrace. Seek God, pray deeply, and look for the wonders that will follow. Pray, and find yourself in a sacred space of transformation.