Dear Friends in Christ,
The lyrics of our closing hymn are attributed to William Alexander Percy, noted Mississippi author of the early 20th century. Percy’s family were long established members of the planter class, his ancestors included senior officers in the Confederate States Army and a US Senator. Percy himself was cousin and guardian of the author Walker Percy. In addition to his poems and memoirs, Percy is remembered for his successful work in disaster relief, in Belgium during the Great War, as well as after the deadly Mississippi River Flood of 1927.
Mark Meyer notes: ‘The poem ‘His Peace‘ which appeared in his 1924 book Enzio’s Kingdom and Other Poems, the last four verses of the poem became the hymn “They Cast Their Nets in Galilee”. (It) entered the Hymnal 1940 with the tune Georgetown, composed by David McK. Williams.’
This is a favorite hymn, it reminds us that the fishermen who followed Jesus did so on great faith. Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John became the first followers of the Way of Jesus, accepting his love into their hearts even though doing so brought challenges greater than they knew as fishermen of Galilee. In the end, they knew the Peace of God, which passeth all understanding.
May we share their deep faith in our daily lives and continue to follow in the Way of Jesus.
In the name of He who is the Christ, Amen.
Father Eric