Thursday 4 September 2025 - Do not be afraid

Thursday 4 September 2025

Today is Thursday the 4th of September, in the 22nd week of Ordinary Time. Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Nearer My God to Thee’. Nearer, my God, to Thee Nearer to Thee Even though it be a cross That raiseth me Still all my song shall be Nearer, my God, to Thee Nearer, my God, to Thee Nearer to Thee Though like the wanderer The sun gone down Darkness be over me My rest a stone Yet in my dreams I’d be Nearer, my God, to Thee Nearer, my God, to Thee Nearer to Thee Still all my song shall be Nearer, my God, to Thee Nearer, my God, to Thee Nearer to Thee Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 5:1-11 Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 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.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him. The encounter Simon Peter has with Jesus beside the lake makes a real difference to his ability to catch fish. Think of a time when the presence of Jesus made a difference in your life. What happened at that time? What would you like to say to Jesus about that? Say it now... Jesus tells the fishermen to ‘Put out into the deep water.’ As Jesus says this to you too, what is he inviting you to do? How will you respond? Simon Peter is frightened by his encounter with Jesus, but Jesus tells him not to be afraid. What frightens or makes you anxious? Hear the words of Jesus for you: ‘Do not be afraid.’ ‘They left everything and followed him.' As you listen to the reading again, ponder what Jesus is inviting you to leave behind so that you may follow him more closely. Luke 5:1-11 Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 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.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him. As this time of prayer closes, imagine the abundant riches that Jesus longs to give you. Give thanks for God’s love and generosity. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen