Harvesting Our Failures
- davidwperk
- Aug 31, 2021
- 4 min read
Devotional Reflection, Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Proper 17, the week of the fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrase for reflection from today’s reading:
72At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.
Today we celebrate the Feast of Aidan. (See below.)
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 982)
AM Psalm 26, 28; PM Psalm 36, 39
1 Kings 8:65-9:9; James 2:14-26; Mark 14:66-72
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, Mark 14:66-72
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. 67When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.’ 68But he denied it, saying, ‘I do not know or understand what you are talking about.’ And he went out into the forecourt.* Then the cock crowed.* 69And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, ‘This man is one of them.’ 70But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.’ 71But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, ‘I do not know this man you are talking about.’ 72At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.
David's Reflections
Mary Oliver in her poem “Someday” compares herself to a tree, obediently bearing fruit and providing shelter for the birds.
If I could I would always live in such shining obedience
where nothing but the wind trims the boughs.
I am sorry for every mistake I have made in my life.
I’m sorry I wasn’t wiser sooner.
I’m sorry I ever spoke of myself as lonely. *
Can you echo her desire to respond to God as consistently as a tree complies with its responsibilities in the natural world? Peter expressed such a desire when he vowed to share Jesus’ fate. Are there vows and promises that genuinely expressed your heart’s intent but that haunt you because your failure shocked and surprised you? Peter walked away from Jesus’ trial with his vows of loyalty and his words of denial tormenting him. He wept.
No grief torments us quite like the grief for what might have been. How would our lives have been different had we lived into the vows and promises we broke? How much more whole would the people be who suffered wounds because of our failed intent? How much loss have we suffered, loss of self respect and loss of trust from others, because our words outpaced our actions?
With Mary Oliver we can say,
I am sorry for every mistake I have made in my life.
I’m sorry I wasn’t wiser sooner.
Peter recovered from the midnight of his regret. He did so because Jesus persisted with him. And, he went on to become a powerful witness and important leader in the earliest church. No failure should be wasted. What we learn about ourselves in the dungeon of regret and reflection can deepen our souls, strengthen our faith, and stiffen our resolve. We can live more faithful and consistent lives as a result. Jesus will be seeking to make that happen. He will not quit on us.
* Mary Oliver, Red Bird (Boston: Beacon, 2008), p. 77.
Collect of the Day, Proper 17, the fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 233)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Aidan, missionary, abbot, bishop of Lindisfarne (died 31 Aug 651 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Aidan
O loving God, you called your servant Aidan from the cloister to re-establish the Christian mission in northern England: Grant that we, following his example, may use what you have given us for the relief of human need, and may persevere in commending the saving Gospel of our Redeemer Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Collect for Peace
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)
For the Unity of the Church
Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one: Grant that your Church, being bound together in love and obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit,
that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 255)
A Prayer for Light
Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP, 100)
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