5th Sunday after Trinity, 18 Jul 1954

1 Peter 3: 8-14: “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For He that will love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, And his ears are open unto their prayers: But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;”

Luke 5: 1-11: “And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: and so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.”

Today with the world in its present state, the words of this Epistle and Gospel give great encouragement. The Epistle is from the Epistle of St. Peter. (1Peter 3:8-15) He wrote these words shortly before his martyrdom. Yet he knows no fear. He writes: “ ….be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord.” Peter had no fear because he had sanctified in his heart Christ as Lord. So he realises that the only way to victory is the way of Christ – of kindness, courtesy and love, enduring suffering patiently and being happy in spite of suffering because he has put his faith in Christ. This is the Christian state of mind.

As if to drive this home, the Gospel tells us to launch out into the deep. (Luke 5:1-11). The men by the Sea of Galilee had toiled all night and taken nothing. They were tired and were a bit discouraged; but when Jesus spoke to them, his words gave them a lift to make another effort. Exactly such is his effect in greater things. His words can make those who have grown discouraged in their spiritual endeavours try again.

‘Launch out into the deep.’ If we do this we shall most certainly be rewarded not necessarily with material blessings, but with a realisation that we are near to Christ, and through Him and in His strength, we can do so much for Him, so long as we are not afraid.