A prayer for a deeper faith

I found a hymn that I used at Mass yesterday because it was inspired by the Gospel of the call of Peter. Its text is rich and inspiring. I’m offering the entire text to you today for your meditation. If the Spirit so leads, I will be commenting on it over the next couple of days. But for today, just let the text touch you where it will. Here it is:

From shallow waters call us, Lord,

From safety near the shore,

And bid us launch upon the depths

Where faith is tested more.

Let not past failures hope destroy

Nor caution paralyze,

But help us follow where you lead

And wait for Love’s surprise.

We cannot fish the ocean’s depths

With nets shrunk small by fear.

We need the gift of greater faith

When we your summons hear.

And, if we plead unworthiness

From what your call demands,

Then may we trust you’ll cleanse and calm

Our soiled, unsteady hands.

We dare to launch on unknown seas

And cast our nets abroad,

For you have bid us grasp by faith

The promises of God.

O Christ, you crossed the same wide seas

You send us now to sail;

Be present when we reach the depths

With strength that does not fail!

For neither fear nor scorn nor death

Could turn you back to land.

You knew no storms could carry you

Beyond your Father’s hand.

Your cross seemed but a fragile craft

Upon an angry sea,

Till Easter dawn brought light and peace

Through Love that sets us free!

Herman G. Stuempfle, Jr. 1973-2007. © 2006, GIA Publications, Inc.

All rights reserved. Used with permission.

For permission for congregational copies or digital projection,

call onelicense.net at 1-800-663-1501

God will give you strength

Isaiah 40:28-31

Do you not know

  or have you not heard?

The Lord is the eternal God,

  Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary,

  his understanding is beyond scrutiny.

He gives strength to the fainting,

  and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Though youths shall faint and be weary,

  and the youths stagger and fall;

They who hope in the Lord will renew their strength,

  they will soar as with eagles’ wings,

They will run and not be weary

  walk and not grow faint.  (NAB translation)

By this point in December, a great many people are indeed exhausted. This is also a time of the year that many people find difficult, for any number of reasons.

Are you taking care of yourself? Are you giving yourself enough time—rather, are you giving the Lord enough time to have direct, unimpeded access to you? Remember to breathe consciously, to close your eyes for what I like to call a “minor moment” where you clear your mind for all the distractions that oppress you and simply realize that you are in the presence of God and that he is promising to do the things that Isaiah describes in this beautiful passage from the Book of Consolation.

Could you, perhaps, take the time to write out these words on an index card or slip of paper and keep it with you throughout the day? Could you even, perhaps, memorize this passage?

Could it possibly be that at least one word, one phrase in the text has something to say directly to you? If it does, claim it. Don’t worry about what kind of effect it will have in your life: don’t forget that God’s understanding, that his ways, are so far beyond our human understanding that we cannot possibly predict how he will work with us. Prepare to be surprised. Prepare to be delighted. Today.

We are touching here on a great mystery, one that we discussed a few days back. We are considering “the peace of God which surpasses human understanding.” May it be with you this day.

Don’t forget to close your eyes for a moment and breathe deeply. As often as you like. No matter how busy or distracted you may be. Today.

Blessed Advent to you!