Sep 3 – Memorial for St. Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor
St. Gregory (540-590) collected the melodies and plain chants so associated with him, that they are now known as Gregorian Chants. He was elected by unanimous acclamation for pope. Incidentally, he was also the first monk to be pope. Before his papacy, he turned his home into a Benedictine monastery, and used his money to build six monasteries in Sicily and one in Rome. He became a missionary to England upon seeing English children being sold in the Roman Forum.
- Patron Saint Index
1 Cor 3:18-23
Luk 5:1-11
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
I have always found Peter extremely relatable, perhaps more so as I continue on my own pilgrimage and become painfully aware of my own shortcomings. In today’s Gospel passage, I was struck by the scene of Peter considering himself unworthy of Jesus because of his sin. I also realised that Jesus had neither disagreed with Peter nor dismissed his sinful nature, reflecting how Jesus had known Peter better than he himself did. Instead, Jesus had simply reassured Peter not to be afraid (Of Jesus? Of judgment? Of punishment?) and told him about his higher calling.
The Gospel does not seem to contain further passages about Peter declaring his unworthiness after this point; although it does contain many examples of Peter’s failures and weaknesses – some of them occurring right after a particularly ‘sacred’ moment or encounter too. Nonetheless, Peter remained close to Jesus, never allowing emotions like guilt or shame to prevent him from trusting in Jesus’ constant mercy. Perhaps this shows how Peter accepted Jesus’ love for him as he was; perhaps it indicates Peter’s humility and acknowledgement of his inability to be saved through his own efforts. It also shows Jesus’ constant patience with Peter (and all his disciples), His plans for them and His unwavering faith in them to carry them out.
Though I do not feel inspired to follow closely in Peter’s footsteps (and am not sure I really want to), I would like to trust that Jesus has the same message for us as well. He is well aware of who we are, and loves us anyway. He is also willing to meet us where we are and work with us, as long as we don’t give up on Him or on ourselves.
When I attended a workshop on writing prayers earlier this year, I was struck by the realisation that my prayers comprise mainly requests, in terms of seeking forgiveness or intercessions for others or just desperate babbling about my own requests. It has been challenging to consciously include elements of praise and thanksgiving, though I am also heartened to notice that this practice has helped in my separate attempts to pray the Examen. It has also been difficult to continually reflect on how my prayers are conversations with (instead of ‘offerings to’) my Father, but today’s passage reminded me that Jesus is indeed my understanding mentor and friend.
For my prayers for the year ahead, I hope to look to Peter’s example to trust in Jesus, keep looking for Him amid the storms that will inevitably occur (with the help of this lovely reflection I just found) and grow in relationship with Him.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Jaclyn Lam)
Prayer: Lord, we are weak and unworthy of your love and mercy. Help us to trust in Your love and grace, as well as your patience and plans. Help us to always remember and cherish that we are Your beloved children.
Thanksgiving: Jesus, thank you for watching out for me, for watching over me and for walking with me. Help me to trust that You are always willing to stretch out Your hand to catch me, even though I continue to sin. Send me your Holy Spirit to help me cherish how you continually grant me the grace to begin again.
OXYGEN 
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