Take a knee

But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken …. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people. (Luke 5:8-10)

I am suspicious of all attempts to divide the human race into two groups, defined by some trait or attitude. But today … amid the cacophony of voices in the news … I am tempted.

Let’s see how it goes.

There are two kinds of people in the world, those astounded by orange-burst sunsets … and those who quickly turn away.

There are two kinds of people in the world, those who feel the darkness of their hearts … and those who only see it in others.

There are two kinds of people in the world, those who imagine they understand the great questions of the day … and those who know they don’t.

There are two kinds of people in the world, those who kneel before the holy … and those who don’t or won’t or would never think of it.

I prefer the kneelers … and the light-lovers … and the hearts who feel the weight of their sin, the limits of their wisdom and the certainty of their mortality.

They are my brothers and sisters, which is why I like Peter as he kneels among the slippery fish flopping about on the deck of his boat. Knowing the dark impurity of his soul, the unworthiness of his heart, his want of faith and love, he hides his face in the presence of the Divine Soul whose light exposes the depth of his darkness.

But he doesn’t stay there long, for mercy will not allow it. God cannot seem to resist a truly humble heart, who is poor in spirit and has surrendered all attempts to deny their poverty.

The message is always the same; Old Testament, New Testament, doesn’t matter, the words soon come, ‘Do not be afraid.’

But it is never spoken to the arrogant who are certain of their wisdom, preening in their power and proud of their perversity. It is only for knees that know how to bend … and hearts who know how to confess … and souls who have tasted the tears of mortality.

God, who is Eternal Light and the sweetness of unfailing mercy, invites us to bring our darkness, our doubt, our fear, and the certainty of our unworthiness into the embrace of everlasting love.

For Christ, who is transcendent goodness, kindness and beauty, lifts us from our knees, again and again, amid the tears of joy that appear each time we catch the corner of his smile … and hear his voice, ‘Do not be afraid.’