Prayers of the People: Catch of the Day, 3rd Sunday of Easter Yr C

for Sunday April 10, 2016, 3^rd Sunday of Easter, Year C, Readings: Acts 9:1-6, (7-20), Ps 30, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19

        But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done..." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and...the people of Israel..." 

[Acts 9:13a-15]

         ...Jesus stood on the beach [and] said to them, "Children you have no fish, have you?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net to the right side of the boat"...and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish...When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread...Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast..." When they had finished breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John...do you love me..." [John 21:4a-5a, 6b, 9, 12a, 15a]

         The story of Paul's conversion on the Road to Damascus is, as with many Biblical passages, almost too familiar so I may just zone out in the reading of it. Yet there is always a new insight, a fresh awareness of something I already "knew" but needed to see in a new light. What I caught from working with the passage in Acts was not about Paul but rather a sudden re-awakening to the role of Ananias and his reluctance to heal Paul ~ strong enough to question Jesus ~ because of the evil of this enemy of Christians. But Jesus is clear that, however unlikely, Paul has been chosen as an instrument to spread the Good News. In these days of terrorism, fear, and suspicion, here is a strong reminder that even those we perceive as dangerous and evil can work to God's purpose wittingly or un-. 

        And then there's a real sea change when Jesus directs the casting of the fish nets to the other side of the boat yielding a massive catch on that day. And dear sensitive Peter gets his feelings hurt because Jesus asks him three times, "Do you love me?" apparently forgetting that he denied Jesus three times not very long ago. 

        The catch of these readings for me is to become more conscious of when I am reluctant or resistant to look beyond the obvious or dismiss someone or an entire group because I dislike their appearance, their politics, or their general attitude as I ~ perhaps (probably) mistakenly ~ perceive it. When have I denied Jesus through what I do and ~ more likely ~ what I don't do? How have I declared my love for Jesus and in what ways do I take part in feeding the flock? Scripture this week provides yet another opportunity to remove the scales from the eyes of my soul, and dust off all the good intentions. Ready, set, FOLLOW...

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Jesus, Lord of Life, Lord of the Way, interrupt our everyday hurriedness to heed Your call and cast our soul nets in Your direction. As You nourish our spirits, let us in turn feed the sheep of Your flock with Your Word and Sacraments.

                                                  Hear, O God of Glory

RESPONSE:           In faithfulness we give You thanks

~ Jesus, Lord of Life, Lord of the Way, guide the thoughts and actions of all who wield the means of power and authority, over all people in all places, toward compassion, integrity, and fairness. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Hear, O God of Glory

In faithfulness we give You thanks

~ Jesus, Lord of Life, Lord of the Way, instill a fresh source of strength and hope in those who live in physical or emotional pain and suffering, and lift the hearts of all who give them care and comfort. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

Hear, O God of Glory

In faithfulness we give You thanks

~ Jesus, Lord of Life, Lord of the Way, calm the sea of grief for those who weep in the night, and let the morning bring the joy of those now eternally alive in Paradise. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Hear, O God of Glory

In faithfulness we give You thanks

~ Jesus, Lord of Life, Lord of the Way, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

Hear, O God of Glory

In faithfulness we give You thanks

~ Jesus, Lord of Life, Lord of the Way, arouse and excite our earthly shepherds that we in turn may experience a rebirth of desire to follow You in every waking moment. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Hear, O God of Glory

In faithfulness we give You thanks

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Christ, Risen and Glorified, You transformed the resistance of Paul and the reluctance of Ananias into instruments expanding the knowledge of Your presence in this world. Convert our complacence to faith in action, and restore our inner vision of life in You. We ask through the fullness of the Holy Spirit, and the power of the Almighty, who together with You reign as One God, now and forever.  Amen.

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