7 February 2016 - duc in altum

[ Today's Readings ]

Then I said, “Woe is me, I am doomed!
For I am a man of unclean lips,
living among a people of unclean lips;
yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

When we truly experience the presence and power of God we are overwhelmed. 

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”

What before seemed like minor imperfections now seem tremendous in the presence of the All-Holy. He knows all and sees all and is utterly without flaw or imperfection of any sort. How can we pretend to stand before his piercing gaze?

Yet God makes us fit to stand in his presence.

Then one of the seraphim flew to me,
holding an ember that he had taken with tongs from the altar.

He touched my mouth with it, and said,
“See, now that this has touched your lips,
your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.”

He has the power to make us clean. But why? Why does he even want us in his presence?

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
“Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”

Yes, there is a call. But why us? It isn't because we are especially worthy.

Last of all, as to one born abnormally,
he appeared to me.

And yet, out of love, he saves us. And out of love he calls us to share that salvation.

Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.

He does not call the qualified, but qualifies the called. He burns away the sins from our hearts and longs to here us say, "Here I am, send me." He reveals himself to us so that we will follow him as fishers of men.

It begins in his presence.

In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

We receive the purification he offers and then open our mouths to sing.

and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD:
“Great is the glory of the LORD.”

And singing we follow him, casting our nets to fish for men. He calls us out into the deep and by his own power makes us able to respond.

The world needs to hear the simple truth we know.

that Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he was buried;
that he was raised on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures;