Ordinary Time 
Pause
Whenever the water struck a stone it had something to say,
and the water itself, and even the mosses trailing under the water.
And slowly, very slowly, it became clear to me what they were saying.
Said the river I am part of holiness.
And I too, said the stone. And I too, whispered the moss beneath the water.
Mary Oliver in “At the River Clarion” (Evidence, 2009)
What is God saying to you today? Through whom or what is God speaking?
Listen
When Simon Peter saw the catch, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Leave me, Lord, for I’m a sinner!” Peter and those with him were overcome with amazement because of the number of fish they caught. James and John, Zebedee’s sons, were Simon’s partners and they were amazed too.
Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will be fishing for people.”
Luke 5:8-10
Think
It is too good to be true!
When people say this, it is usually meant as a warning. Like if you found something you want to buy for way less than it usually costs, then there must be something wrong with it. We say phrases like this all the time. They all speak to a common idea: we often expect bad things no matter how good things seem.
Take Simon Peter as an example. Jesus has helped him and his partners to catch boatloads of fish. Everyone else is amazed. But Simon Peter responds differently. He did not expect to be knee-deep in fish or in the abundance of God’s blessings. Simon Peter feels like it is all wrong. It is too good to be true. He feels inadequate and unworthy of so much goodness. But Jesus tells him, do not be afraid of good things. God had good things in store for Simon Peter. Just like God has good things in store for us.
Patrick Kangrga
Pray
God, give me eyes to see the ways that you abundantly bless me.
Help me not to be too skeptical of all the good in your world and to appreciate all the good in my life.
Let me be a blessing to others.
Amen.
Go
Where there’s water on Earth, you find life as we know it.
Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist
Spend time in the places and with the people who are your waters and life.
Seek out new waters and new life.
Be life to others.
