The Extraordinary in the Ordinary

Monday, October 2, 2006 -- Week of Proper 21

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 987)
Psalm 89:1-18 (morning) // 89:19-52 (evening)
Hosea 2:14-23
Acts 20:17-38
Luke 5:1-11

So often in the Biblical story the presence and power of the divine is revealed through something rather ordinary that becomes filled with meaning. Gideon received his call when he prepared a meal for a stranger, and his mission was confirmed by the presence or absence of dew on a wool skin. God caught Moses attention through a bush in the desert. It seemed to be alive with fire but not consumed. (There is a desert bush that looks like that.) The call of Peter in Luke's account chronicles an abundant catch of fish. Fishing was Peter's everyday work.

In the midst of our everyday work and the common events of our lives, something happens, and our hearts can be quickened. If we are awake and open, we might pause long enough to experience a deeper presence. Sometimes that pausing may bring with it a new sense of identity or a new purpose or mission.

These experiences aren't automatic. They are ordinary enough that they can be passed off. Peter could have focused only on the fish. He could have simply been excited about his luck (with a little help from the new guy) and busied himself with processing the fish for a profitable day at the market.

But something deeper in Peter was triggered. He was in deep water literally and spiritually. Maybe he looked at all of this munificence and paused for a moment to ask "Why?" or "Why me?" His focus moved from the fish to Jesus, the newly met Rabbi. Something struck deep within him. Something momentous was stirring inside. Some sense of fear or unworthiness bubbled up. "Who am I for such to happen?" Luke write's Peter's response: "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." Shakespeare wrote, "Conscience doth make cowards of us all."

The divine answer is always "Don't be afraid. Fear not. Be not afraid." Jesus raises the call to Peter: "From now on you will be catching people."

They left everything and followed him. Fearless. (for the moment)

Lowell

___________________________________________________________
To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list,
go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR