Fears and Tears

“Depart from me because I am a sinful man”, are the words that Peter uttered to the Lord as he fell to the ground. He had just witnessed a miracle that defied the laws of nature, it was an act of God. I imagine that Peter was tired, that he was angry, and that he struggled with his faith. But he obeyed the word of the Lord, went out to the deep and lowered the nets. It didn’t make sense in his mind, but a miracle happened before his very eyes. Peter caught a huge amount of fish, so much so that the nets were ripping and the boat was in danger of sinking. He had to call in help from his nearby partners. This miracle brought to Peter a deeper message which was contained within it. It revealed God to him.

The Lord did not depart from him. The Lord called Peter into a deeper relationship by an invitation to follow Him. Peter was to be a close, intimate follower of the Lord and ultimately an Apostle, to be sent into the world.

I can relate to Peter in my life, not feeling worthy in the Lord’s eyes. Being weighed down by sin and facedown in the dirt. But the Lord looks upon me with kindness, mercy and love. I feel the Lord is calling me to the sacrament of Reconciliation through my daily prayer time with Him. That He desires to free me of the burdens I have been carrying. It is a prompting to approach Him in humility and to put my trust in Him.

I have been praying for the graces I need to do this with the help of the Lord. To examine my life and look at it with truth. A prayer that I find helpful is the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. This is a prayer that the Lord gave to St. Faustina in a time when a war was going to break out in the world. It was a dark time, but the light of the Divine Mercy shines forth from God.

It is a prayer to pray for our sins and for the whole world. The Chaplet is a beautiful offering to God the Father, the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, imploring mercy for us and the whole world.

When the Lord’s heart was pierced as He hung on the cross, blood and water poured out from His heart. He surrendered all at the hour of mercy and His love was poured out upon the earth and His people. He created all things new as He wants to do with me.

Lord, thank you for not departing from me. I will follow where You lead me. Thank you for the gift of intercessory prayer as the Chaplet echoes in the world and pours out Your mercy upon it. Amen.