Every Sunday, across the world, Christians share an agreed three year cycle of Bible Readings in Sunday worship, this is called the Common Lectionary. We offer materials including prayers bible study and worship resources for each one of these Sunday's via our Lectionary Bible Notes Section.

Ordinary 19

To walk on water, you have to get out of the boat

I am reminded of the phrase 'you've got to be in it to win it.' The point is obvious, we will never achieve unless we participate. The flip side is that as well as achievement, we can also fail in our endeavours. Perhaps it is that fear of failure which prevents so many people from making the effort, and trying to make our dreams become reality. This is true of so many things, not least our willingness to serve God, to allow our talents to be used in his service. The Apostle Peter is a real example to us all, he made mistakes, he had failure in his life, yet he was prepared to have a go, and because of that Jesus called him 'the rock' the one he chose upon which to build his church. In the passage from Matthew today, Peter jumps out of the boat to meet Jesus. Whilst walking on water for a time he soon loses confidence and starts to sink. However we have to pay tribute to Peter because at least he had a go. The words of Theodore Roosevelt.

'It is not the critic who counts; not the one who points out hoe the strong stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the one who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly who errs and comes us short again and again; who knows great enthusiasm and great devotion; who spends him/herself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who, at worst, if he/she fails, at least fails while daring greatly. So that his/her place shall never be with those timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.'

 

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Each morning and each evening
let the peace of the Father, be ours.
Each day and each night
let the peace of the Son be ours.
Each dawn and each dusk
let the peace of the Spirit be ours.
Let the blessing of the three in one be ours;
both now and for ever. Amen.
Carmina Gadelica