Today in our prayers for the people of Lithuania.

Prayer for Peace

Michael Wright

Redeemer, Lord of the Paschal Mystery,

I’m going fishing:
The world I know, the sea,
searching for sustenance, and stability, with those who share my call.
And, yet, being at home on the sea, there are no fish tonight.
Where have they gone?
The nets are empty.
Our ark of disciples floats on the waves, with no response from the creatures below.
I return discouraged, tired, and hungry.
Then, I hear your voice!

In the early light of dawn,
You appear on land, terra firma,
The world you came to redeem.
The fish appear in a scurry on the right side of the ship,
You call to me, telling me to come to the hearth to eat,
bring the fish that have responded.
I jump in, immersed in your call.
The cold water awakens my senses,
The darkness, discomfort do not discourage,
My outstretched arms keep me afloat, reaching toward peace.

You pull me from my world,
the water responds to gravity washing our four feet.
Your punctured hand pulls me from my depths and close to you.

I arrive burdened and clumsy,
Excited and eager with the abundance of fish,
too many for those who have been invited to break their fast.

Looking at my bursting net, you ask me the triune question:

“Do you love me?”
I respond, “I do.”
The Lamb of God responds: “Feed my lambs.”

“Do you love me?”
I respond, “you know I do.”
The Good Shepherd responds, “Feed my sheep.”

“Do you love me?”
I tearfully respond, “of course I do.”
The Pastor of Peace responds, “Feed my sheep.”

And in this moment,
I recognize that my world of comfort,
from which the fish came, is not where I am called.
I’m called to land where I am to shepherd,
No more gills and scales,
but I shall feed those who breathe and cry out as I do:
Love the most vulnerable in this world,
Who search for shalom,
The punctured hand that pulled me from the water,
The One who restores and reconciles
And grants peace.
Even to the fish below, the crying lamb, and the sheep who seek his voice.

Amen.