God Lurks Just Around the Next Corner

Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Proper 19, the week of the sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrase for reflection from today’s reading:

18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea--for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, `Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’

Today we celebrate the Feast of Catherine of Genoa. (See below.)

Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 984)

AM Psalm 72; PM Psalm 119:73-96

1 Kings 22:1-28; 1 Cor. 2:1-13; Matt. 4:18-25

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer

Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 4:18-25

18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea--for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, `Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.' 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. 25And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

David's Reflections

When does Jesus reveal himself to us? When do we see his presence most clearly? When do we hear his voice most forcefully? If this Gospel is any hint, one answer is, "In the everyday routine of life." We don't have to go on retreat or be in church; rather, we simply have to go to work or go about our daily routine and listen and look for him in the going.

Peter, Andrew, James, and John encountered Jesus during their everyday vocational chores, casting and mending nets. They heard his call to a variation on their vocation--fishing for fish would become fishing for people. They had been gatherers, they would continue being gatherers.

Paul Scherer, a Lutheran theologian has said:

“"The havoc that tears its way through human lives comes not of God's hiding, but rather of his persistent stepping out from behind every corner just at the moment when we undertake to sneak around it in our effort to get away. Never is it true that we cannot manage to find him--I sometimes wish we would quit using that phrase. Always it is true that we cannot manage to lose him.”*

Just what corner will Jesus step out from behind today? Will it be in the humdrum routine of my work:? Will it be in the form of a wounded, difficult person? Will it be in the performing of a routine household task? How will Jesus find me this day? I can count on Jesus’ persistent seeking. He found those men doing their daily work in their normal places.

Jesus' ongoing ministry in this text gets described with three participles--preaching, teaching, and healing. These four men had the privilege of being in his presence and of participating in the preaching and healing ministries. (In Matthew, only Jesus teaches prior to the resurrection.) We share a similar privilege. Jesus calls us to be with him and to immerse ourselves in the mission of joining in gathering people unto God's love.

Today, Jesus will step out from behind some corner in a moment when you and I least expect it. May we have the vision to see and the strength of heart to recognize his presence and to say "yes" to him as did Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Perhaps our wisest prayer would be for alertness and openness.

*Paul Scherer, Love is A Spendthrift: Meditations for the Christian Year (New York: Harper, 1961), p. 7.

Collect of the Day, Proper 19, the sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP 233)

Today we celebrate the Feast of Catherine of Genoa, mystic and nurse (died 15 Sep 1510 CE).

http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/Catherine_Genoa.html

Collect of the Feast of Catherine of Genoa

Gracious God, reveal to your church the depths of your love; that, like your servant Catherine of Genoa, we might give ourselves in loving service, knowing that we have been perfectly loved by you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Collect for Grace

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)

In Times of Personal Distress

Lord Christ, you came into the world as one of us, and suffered as we do. As we go through the trials of life, help us to realize that you are with us at all times and in all things; that we have no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds us for eternity. In the security of your embrace we pray. Amen. (Enriching Our Worship: 2, p. 69)

In the Evening

O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen. (BCP, 833)

A Collect for Mission

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)