Prayers of Approach
Ever-loving God, as we gather together in worship, may we glorify your name. Help us to make the most of this time together, sharing honestly with one another as we participate in this story of faith. May we offer you our all and be glad when you lovingly change our perspectives.
As you met Saul on the road to Damascus, we pray that today it will be our time to meet with you, to experience your blinding light, to have our eyes opened to your glory. Please, Lord, meet us where we need to be met.
Lord, you are the God of miracles. You reveal yourself in so many different and amazing ways. You can be there in a blinding flash from heaven, but also in the gradual breaking of dawn when our souls are in darkness. We come before you now, rejoicing in your power to light up our lives, and to change our perspective. We are waiting, Lord. Amen.
Hymn Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord (R&S 234)
Readings: Acts 9:1-20
Luke 21:1-19
Introduction
Our readings this week explore changes in perspective – whether we can change ours, whether we allow others to change and how God changes how we see things. First the well-known story of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, later known as the Apostle Paul. Saul is on his way to Damascus to persecute followers of Jesus. On the way, he is felled by a blinding light and Jesus asks why he is persecuting him. Meanwhile, God speaks to a faithful follower, Ananias, who, despite his misgivings, goes to Saul, greets him as a brother and lays hands upon him. Saul’s sight is restored and he is baptized.
In the gospel reading after a night of fishing, the disciples meet the risen Jesus on the seashore and eat breakfast with him. They don’t recognise him and it’s only after the miraculous haul of fish that they catch on. This leads to a moment of healing and a new start for Peter, who had denied Jesus before the crucifixion. Jesus repeats his question to Peter three times: ‘Do you love me?’ giving Peter renewed hope and all of us a new perspective on ourselves and our relationship with Jesus.
Hymn Will you come and follow me if I but call your name (R&S 558)
Sermon
This week’s readings have several things in common. Both of them feature encounters with Jesus; in both of them Jesus is initially unrecognised; Jesus calls Saul and Simon (Peter) by name; in each case their perspectives are changed. For Saul it is a radical turn-around, from being a fervent opponent and persecutor of the church he becomes a dedicated follower of Jesus and keen proponent of the gospel. From being a guilt-ridden denier of knowing Jesus, Peter becomes a courageous apostle and advocate of Christ.
Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus is one of high drama and the inspiration for many works of art. A brilliant light surrounds Saul causing him to fall to the ground and a voice asks, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ The drama is heightened by the voice addressing Saul by name and by the fact that although his companions hear the voice they do not see anyone. When Saul asks, ‘who are you?’ he receives the reply, ‘I am Jesus who you are persecuting,’ and is told to go into the city and wait until he is told what to do. It is hard to imagine how Saul felt after such an experience but being left blind must have been terrifying. The next few days however gave him plenty of time to reflect and by the time Ananias came he was ready to listen and change his views. Ananias’ acceptance of Saul, addressing him as ‘brother’ leads to the restoration of his sight, being filled with the holy spirit and being baptised.
In some ways Peter’s meeting with Jesus is more low key but nonetheless just as dramatic. After the immediate post-resurrection events life seems to have returned to normal for the disciples, who have gone back to Galilee and gone out fishing again. Following an unsuccessful night they return to shore to be hailed by a figure on the beach who seems to know that they haven’t caught anything and tells them to cast their nets on the right of the boat. When this results in a huge catch they realise that it’s Jesus and the impulsive Peter puts on his clothes to plunge into the water and be the first to swim to Jesus at the beach. Then comes Peter’s restoration. Jesus calls him by name, Simon son of John, and asks him three times, ‘Do you love me?’ echoing Peter’s three denials, and giving Peter a new mission, ‘Feed my sheep.’
The effect of these encounters is that Saul sees the world in a different way. No longer is persecution appropriate. Now is the time for obedience. Jesus met Peter on the beach and changed his life for ever, taking the brokenness of Peter’s denial and turning it into a restatement of belief: ‘Yes Lord; you know that I love you.’ In spite of all the mistakes, denials and failures, Peter’s declarations of faith become the rock upon which the church is built – a place where failures find forgiveness and mistakes can be mended, and even become a means to grace, if we ask God to work on them with us. What situations might change our perspectives today? Are we willing to let them be changed?
Hymn He comes to us as one unknown (R&S 525)
Prayers of Intercession
Lord, you are the God of miracles, great and small and today we have heard some amazing things. Fish appeared where there were none before. Paul had his physical sight restored, and his spiritual eyes opened wide.
We thank you, Lord, that, if we trust in you, you give us a whole new perspective on life. Together we can work to further your glorious kingdom.
Almighty God, we recognise that you are the fire, the spark, the vision, the calling, that urges us to pray for those near and far and so we pray this day for those people and situations that are on our minds and in our hearts.
We pray for those who lead the nations, the good ones and the bad ones, those prepared to apologise for mistakes made and those who plough on regardless of the chaos and mess they cause. For those who are prepared to change their minds for the greater good of humanity and creation.
For the peoples of the nations, those who support their leaders and those who despair of decisions made, supposedly in their name.
For those who decide, whatever the risk to themselves, to speak out against injustice and unfairness. For those who risk their lives for the well-being and the good of neighbours near and far.
For those countries at war, those whose countries want the war and the countries who don’t but who are unceremoniously dragged into violence and revenge trying to protect peoples and lands, heritage and borders.
For the homeless, the hungry, the dispossessed, for those who face discrimination and injustice, those who feel isolated, lonely and alone, unloved, unwanted and fearful.
For the ill and those who treat them, who bind their wounds and care for body, mind and soul. For those who are nearing the end of earthly life that they may find comfort, strength and peace. For those who mourn the loss of loved ones, who feel the emptiness and loss, who live with guilt and regret of things not said and deeds not done.
And finally we pray for ourselves, that we may follow in the steps of Christ and in so doing find peace, love and contentment, healing, hope and joy.
Lord, hear our prayer, and hear all the prayers of our hearts, spoken and unspoken. In the name of the risen Christ, we pray. Amen
Hymn He is Lord, he is Lord (R&S 264)
Blessing
May we go out with perspectives changed. May we have eyes to see you at work in our lives and community. May we have words of love to offer to people society often shuns. May we trust and obey your call on our lives.
And may your blessing rest on us now,
And remain with us always.
Amen.
Prayers and other material (adapted) © Roots for Churches Ltd. Used by permission.
