And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Luke 5:4–8 (RSV)
Can you recall a time when the only response was to fall to your knees? Can the moment come to memory when you knew in the very depth of your being that the only thing to do was to fall on your knees?
Kneeling at the altar on Good Friday touches that moment. Even then, it was only the faintest of echos of the wonder that compelled St. Peter to fall on his knees before Jesus, confessing his sin.
St. Peter was captured by the wonder and surprise of the moment. He encountered holiness like no other, causing all else to fall away. The wonder of God among us approaches in the Supper, where we receive the Body and Blood of our Lord. We encounter the Risen Christ as He gives Himself. Like St. Peter, we approach as sinners who receive the mercy flowing from the Lord.