AUGUST 10, 2014 : NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 115

Reading 11 KGS 19:9A, 11-13A

At the mountain of God, Horeb,
Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. 
Then the LORD said to him,
“Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;
the LORD will be passing by.” 
A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains
and crushing rocks before the LORD—
but the LORD was not in the wind. 
After the wind there was an earthquake—
but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 
After the earthquake there was fire—
but the LORD was not in the fire. 
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. 
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Responsorial Psalm PS 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14

R/ (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD — for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R/ Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R/ Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R/ Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

Reading 2ROM 9:1-5

Brothers and sisters:
I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie;
my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness
that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. 
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ
for the sake of my own people,
my kindred according to the flesh. 
They are Israelites;
theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants,
the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;
theirs the patriarchs, and from them,
according to the flesh, is the Christ,
who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

Gospel MT 14:22-33

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side,
while he dismissed the crowds. 
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. 
When it was evening he was there alone. 
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. 
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea. 
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. 
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. 
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” 
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 
He said, “Come.” 
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. 
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 
After they got into the boat, the wind died down. 
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”

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Scripture Study

August 10, 2014 - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13. Elijah came to a cave, and lodged there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, "Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

"I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness."

EXPLANATION. The northern tribes broke away from Judah on the death of Solomon (922 B.C.), and formed an independent country which was called Israel. Separated from the temple and the priestly caste (the tribe of Levi which remained with Judah and Benjamin), they gradually lost their knowledge and belief in Yahweh, the true God, as well. During the reign of Ahab (869-850), their seventh King, idolatry became rampant in Israel. Ahab had married a pagan called Jezebel, a daughter of the king of Tyre. She set up a temple to Baal in Samaria and had 400 pagan priests daily at her table. She banished all the prophets of the true God from the country or almost all, for Elijah remained to preserve the true faith and make life miserable for Jezebel.

After his victory over the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kgs. 18: 16-40) and his execution of 400 of them Elijah decided it was safer to leave Israel to escape the wrath of Jezebel. He was heading for Mount Sinai, evidently in the hope of meeting Yahweh where Moses had seen him, when the incident narrated in today's reading took place. Remember, Elijah was a holy man of God, who wanted God to be a God of fire and sword for he was waging a one-man war against the queen and her forces.
Elijah . . . cave: He had reached Mount Horeb in Sinai and was resting in a cave when a voice told him to come out and meet Yahweh the Lord. (In verses 10 and 11, not included in the reading, God had asked him why he had run away and he answered that he had run to save his life.)
great . . . fire: In all of these physical proofs (wind, an earthquake, a fire) of God's might and power, which Elijah felt were needed in Israel, God was not present.
after . . . voice: The CCD translation, "a tiny whispering sound," is more correct. JEB has: "the sound of a gentle breeze," and the NEB: "a low murmuring sound." The contrast is between the roaring and noise of the tornado, the earthquake and fire, and the gentle sound that follows them.
he wrapped . . . mantle: Elijah realized that the gentle sound meant that God was present, so lest he should see him (and die, as was the common belief), he covered his eyes.

In the verses that follow the above, God (Yahweh) tells him to return via Damascus to his country and his work.

APPLICATION: Elijah was a great prophet, a great defender of the true faith in Israel, where a defense was needed---but, being of a fiery, violent nature, he was evidently not quite satisfied with the help God was giving him. He wanted fire and brimstone poured abundantly on all God's enemies, but God did not always see things as Elijah did. When running away in despair, or with the hope of collecting reinforcements in the form of more active cooperation (according to his ideas), on the part of God, he was taught a lesson and, to his credit, he learned it.

Many of us have at least a little of the spirit of the pre-Horeb Elijah in us. When we see wickedness prosper and open opponents of God continuing to live and to thrive, we begin to wish God would step in and show his power by exterminating them, in a way that would prevent others from daring to imitate them. An earthquake could so easily swallow up the leaders of atheistic policy when they all meet in Moscow; and what a blessing for the world and for the true religion We wonder, perhaps, why God doesn't show his power and his presence in some such way to those who deny his existence.

But, as Christians, we should know better. We have the great advantage (which Elijah lacked) of Christ's teaching on God's mercy. God is the father, and the loving father, of the sinner as well as of the saint. He does not wish the death of the sinner, but that he should be converted and live. He gives his grace to all men; he lets his sun shine on the sinners and the just. He has infinite patience and is ready, up to the last moment, to welcome back the greatest sinner who turns to him. How many saints are in heaven today, who would have been cut down in their sins, if God acted as Elijah and some other devout lovers of God would have him act?

No, the lesson for each one of us today is that God is especially a God of mercy in his dealings with us. He would have us deal mercifully with our fellowman who are not serving him or who, worse still, are even denying his existence. Tornadoes of blame and abuse, thundering condemnations and threats of fire and brimstone are not the means God uses to bring back his prodigal sons, and they are not the means he wants us, his friends, to use either.

God is to be found in "the tiny gentle breeze," in the kind, charitable understanding word spoken out of a true brotherly heart. In the sinner God sees his child and still loves him. We too should see in the sinner our brother, and we should love him and wish him to reach the happy end God intends for him. A kindly word will do more to produce his conversion than torrents of abuse and condemnation. There are few of us who have not sinned and offended God during our adult years. How fortunate we were that God was not Elijah's type of God while we were in our sins! He gave us a chance because he was a merciful, understanding God. Let us be merciful and understanding to our brothers who now are what we once were. Let us pray for them and ask God to continue to be merciful towards them. Let us help them kindly and charitably whenever we can. If we are instrumental in bringing back a prodigal son to his loving Father in heaven, we can rest assured that our Father will help us on our road back to him in heaven.

SECOND READING: Romans 9: 1-5. I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen by race. They are Israelites, and to them belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed for ever. Amen.

EXPLANATION: In the preceding eight chapters, St. Paul has been telling the Roman converts to Christianity of the blessings Christ, the Messiah, had brought to mankind. Christ was the fulfillment of all God's dealings with the Chosen People of the Old Testament---he was the fulfillment of "the Law and the prophets." Yet the Jews, as a nation, had refused to see Christ as the Messiah who was promised to them by God through their patriarchs and prophets. This question troubled Paul very much. (It must be remembered that a great many individual Jews had accepted Christianity, among them Paul and the other Apostles.) Paul would gladly have given everything, even his life and his Christian faith, to get them to accept Christ as the fulfillment of the promises. It is of this sorrow of heart that he speaks in the following verses.
I . . . lying: He solemnly declares that what he is about to say is the objective truth. He calls Christ as a witness: "in Christ."
great . . . anguish: In spite of all the sufferings and trouble the Jews had caused him ever since he began his Christian missionary activity (12 or 13 years previously), he still loves them as his brother-Jews, and he has sorrow of heart and anguish because they do not see the gift of God in Christ.
I myself were accursed: Accursed=anathema. Paul says he would be willing to be excluded from Christ---the worst possible fate he could imagine---if, as a people, the Jews who were his brethren and kinsmen by race, would thereby accept Christ.
They are Israelites: Paul gives them the more honorable and religious name of Israelites. God changed Jacob's name to Israel and his descendants inherited that name. The title "Jews" was given them by outside nations, and not always with respect. (Note how the present-day Jews who have established a political nation in Palestine called it "Israel," not "Judah." They are Israelis rather than Jews.)
To them belong: Paul goes on to mention seven of the privileges which Yahweh down through the ages had given to the Israelites, the descendants of Jacob.
1: sonship: Yahweh adopted them as his sons, his chosen ones (Ex 4: 22; Is. 1: 2).
2: glory: This was Yahweh's presence manifested by a cloud in the tabernacle, in the desert, and in the temple of Jerusalem built by Solomon (Ex. 40: 34; 1 Kgs. 8: 10-11).
3:covenants: These were the solemn pacts Yahweh made with Abraham (Gen. 15-18), with Jacob (Gen. 32: 29), and Moses (Ex. 20: 1-17), this latter being the principal one which formed them into a nation, a Chosen People.
4: law: The decalog (in Gen. 20:1-17).
5: worship: The cultic laws regulating divine worship of the one true God in the tabernacle and later in the temple of Jerusalem (Gn. 21-31).
6: promises: Yahweh made promises to Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Moses and David. They were promises of his special protection and love made to them as his Chosen People and to David of a kingly descendant whose reign would last forever (see Sm. 7: 11ff).
7: patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, distinguished ancestors of the Jews and friends of Yahweh.
the Christ . . . all: The final and crowning gift and privilege, which they unfortunately did not accept or acknowledge, was Christ, the Messiah, who was God as well as man. It was because he claimed to be God as well as man (a claim he proved by his miracles and especially by his resurrection) that they rejected him and handed him over to the Roman authorities to be crucified, "because he has claimed to be the Son of God" (Jn. 20: 7).

APPLICATION: Like St. Paul we too can and should grieve that God's Chosen People of the Old Testament refused, and still refuse, as a nation to accept the last and greatest of the many gifts he gave them, his Messiah, Christ. For eighteen centuries he treated them as a people apart. He let the other nations go their way, but to them he revealed himself as the true and only God, who made and regulated the whole universe and all it contains. And his reason for this special treatment was that his Son (according to the flesh), whom he was going to send on earth to make all nations his new Chosen People, would be a descendant of Abraham, a member of their race.

While we regret that they are not our brothers in Christ, and while we must always pray that one day they will become our Christian brothers, we must realize that they are a small percentage of those who reject Christ today. There are millions living among us---men and women---who know nothing and care nothing for God or for their own eternal future. If they were not baptized then their parents were, but indifference followed by disbelief has ousted the faith in families, and almost in whole nations, in much of the so-called civilized part of our world.

What is the cause of this? It is the same as that which prevented the Jews of St. Paul's day from accepting Christ: pride and worldliness. The leaders of the Jews, the Pharisees and the priestly caste, could not bear to be taught by Christ. What was he but a country carpenter, while they were doctors of the law! They had nothing to learn, they thought. Our ex-Christians and anti-Christians today think they have all the answers to all questions too. Because they know a little more than their grand-parents about the things of this world, they think they can ignore or deny the existence of what does not come within the range of their bodily senses.

As well as being proud, the priests and Pharisees of Paul's day were worldly and politically minded. They looked for a Messiah who would not only set them free from the hated Roman rule, but who would make of their country a world-power. And in this new empire they would, of course, have the seats of honor. Christ's teaching was concerned not with power or wealth in this world but with the eternal joy and happiness that men could obtain for themselves in the next. Our ex-Christians today have no time, and no thought, for God or for Christ's teaching, because they are totally occupied with obtaining the pleasures, the wealth, the comforts of this world. They may not think in terms of world-power for themselves, but they have put themselves completely and entirely in the power of this world. Talk of a future-life is to them sheer folly---the present is what counts: "eat, sleep, drink and be merry" is their motto, their creed. They are reluctant to add "for tomorrow you die'!---that might disturb their present bliss!

What should be our reaction to this sad state of so many of our fellowmen? Our first reaction should be a fervent "Thank you, God, for the true faith we have; please give us the grace to live in it until we draw our last breath." Our second thought must be to ask the good God to send the light of faith to the descendants of Abraham, and to re-light it among those Gentiles who have extinguished it. It is not enough for a true Christian that he should live his own life according to the laws of Christ, true charity demands that he be seriously interested in the spiritual welfare of his neighbors.

GOSPEL: Matthew 14:22-33. Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."

And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus, but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

EXPLANATION: In this reading from St. Matthew's gospel we have two miracles worked by our Lord; he walks on the water and calms a storm. The faith and trust of Peter in Christ is greater than that of the other Apostles, but it is as yet not complete and unquestioning.

Christ had spent the day somewhere on the eastern shore of Lake Genesareth. As evening came he told the disciples to return home by boat to the western shore. He himself spent most of the night alone in prayer. The disciples ran into a heavy head-wind and were hardly making any headway---they still hadn't reached the western shore at 3 a.m. Suddenly Jesus came near them, walking on the water. The disciples were terrified; they thought he was a ghost. Jesus told them not to be afraid, that it was he, their Master, who was there. Peter was ready to believe him, but put him to the test. If he really was the Master he could give them the power to walk on the water. Christ gave him the power and while his faith in Christ lasted he walked on the water. But his faith weakened when he saw a large wave approaching, and he then began to sink. He called out to his master: "Lord save me." Christ caught him and lifted him up, remarking that it was the wavering of his faith that caused him to sink. They both got into the boat and immediately the wind ceased. The others in the boat declared then that truly he was the "Son of God." This was not a proclamation of their faith in his divinity---this conviction did not come to them until after the resurrection---but an affirmation that he was the Messiah.

APPLICATION: Our Lord sent his disciples to row across the lake, knowing that they would meet strong, gale-force head-winds and be in danger. He did this because he wanted to strengthen their faith and trust in himself. He intended to come to them at the right moment, working two miracles---walking on the water and calming the storm. This he did and the result was as he had intended---their faith in him was strengthened, they declared he was the Messiah, the Chosen of God. Peter, already the recognized leader, and always the most daring among them, showed himself ready to risk drowning in order to prove his trust and confidence in Christ. While he trusted in Christ, all went well, but when his faith weakened he would have been lost were it not for the outstretched helping hand of his master. This was also a very necessary lesson in the education of Peter and his companions.

For us, too, there is a necessary lesson in this incident. It is that we must continue to trust in Christ and his loving Father, even when God seems to have deserted us. Most of the troubles and trials of our lives are caused by the injustice and lack of charity of our fellowman. The remainder can be attributed to our own defects and sins or to some weakness in our mental and bodily make-up. But God foresees all these misfortunes, and can prevent them. Instead he lets them take their course, because they can and should be the means of educating us in our knowledge of life's true meaning and they should draw us closer to him.

Christ foresaw the storm and the grave risk his Apostles would run when he sent them off across the lake. But that trial and the grave danger they ran was for their own good, because they learned to realize that he was from God and they could always trust him. Our trials and our earthly ailments are also foreseen by God and permitted by him (even if inflicted on us by a sinful fellowman) so that they will draw us closer to him and help us on the road to heaven.

This they will do, if we accept them and bear with them until he comes to our aid. Our troubles in life are like the growing pains of our youth---they are necessary if we are to arrive at our full stature as sons of God. They form, mold and shape our religious character and bring us closer to God---if we allow them to do so. For the lukewarm Christian who rebels against God because of his earthly sufferings, they can do the opposite. He cannot see the purpose and value of suffering because he has never seriously pondered or grasped the real meaning of this life and God's loving plans for him.

As in the first reading today, God may not be in the tornadoes or earthquakes or roaring fires, nor does he cause them perhaps, but he is ever near to his true children when such calamities occur. He has a purpose in every trial or tribulation which crosses the path of our lives, a purpose always to our eternal advantage if only we will see and accept his will in these trials.

Courtesy of: http://www.catholicmatters.com/ 

Meditation:  "Take heart, it is I - have no fear"

Does the Lord Jesus ever seem distant when trials or adversity come your way? It was at Jesus' initiative that the disciples sailed across the lake, only to find themselves in a life-threatening storm (Mark 6:45-52). Although they were experienced fishermen, they feared for their lives. The Lake of Galilee was known for its sudden storms whipped up suddenly by strong winds which swept down from the nearby mountains. The disciples must have cried out for help when they recognized that their boat was about to be capsized by the threatening waves.

Jesus always intercedes for us
Although Jesus was not physically with them in the boat, he nonetheless had been keeping vigilant watch for them in earnest prayer on the distant shore. When Jesus perceived their trouble he came to them walking on the sea and startled them with his sudden appearance. The disciples were terrified rather than joyful when they saw Jesus' presence on the water. They thought a ghost had appeared to seal their doom. At first, they could not believe it was really the Lord who was coming to help them until they heard his reassuring voice - "I am here for you and ready to help you - let your heart be filled with courage - and do not allow any fear or doubt to hold you back from trusting in me." Jesus calmed their fears, and he calmed the threatening waves and storm as well. 

Facing fear and failure with faith in God's help
This dramatic incident on the sea of Galilee revealed Peter's character more fully than others. Here we see Peter's impulsive tendency to act or speak quickly without thinking through what he was about to do. Peter often failed and came to grief as a result of his impulsive response to challenging circumstances (such a cutting off the ear of a servant who came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemani, or Peter promising Jesus that he would never deny him shortly before his betrayal at the high priest's courtyard). When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, he took a leap of faith only to cave in out of fear and doubt. He failed to keep his eyes on Jesus and to rely on the strength which God readily hands to those who trust in him. 

In Peter's moment of fear and failure, he fortunately did not give into despair or hopelessness. When his faith began to sink, Peter clutched at Jesus' hand and held firmly. Whatever weakness Peter had, he was not a quitter. Every time Peter fell, he rose again. His failures only made him draw closer to his Lord, and love him more humbly and deeply, and with greater gratitude and trust in his mercy and help.

Do you recognize the Lord's abiding presence with you?
The Lord Jesus keeps vigilant watch over each one of us at all times, and especially in our moments of temptation and difficulty. Do you recognize the Lord's presence when you meet adversity or trouble and do you cling to him as Peter did in his trial? The Lord Jesus assures us that we do not need to give into fear and despair when troubles threaten us. The Lord is always ready to strengthen our faith, to reassure our hope in his promises, and to fill us with his peace and love. When troubles and danger threaten to overwhelm you, how do you respond? With expectant faith and hope in the Lord's abiding presence, love, and care for you?

"Lord Jesus, help me to trust you always and in all circumstances and to never doubt your presence and power to help me. In my moments of doubt and weakness, may I cling to you as Peter did. Strengthen my faith that I may walk confidently in the path you have chosen for me."

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Peter On the Water and In the Water

August 10, 2014. Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 14: 22-33 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." Introductory Prayer: Father, I believe in you with all my heart. I trust in your infinite goodness and mercy. Thank you for so patiently guiding me along the pathway to everlasting life. I love you and offer all that I have and all that I do to you, for your glory and the salvation of souls. Petition: Lord, help me to trust in you when I am making my decisions. 1. The Divine Name: As if being battered by the wind and waves weren’t enough to instill a feeling of doom and dread, in the midst of it all, the apostles saw a shadowy figure gliding along the water. They were scared! Who wouldn’t be? Jesus speaks directly to their fear. “Take heart, it is I,” – literally in early Greek translation, “I am.” This is biblical code language that evokes in a powerful way the presence of God. When Moses stood before the burning bush, at a loss as to how he, the tongue-tied fugitive from Egypt, was supposed to go back to the Pharaoh and convince that hardened soul to liberate the enslaved Hebrews, he felt he just could not do it. God’s answer to Moses’ hesitation and doubt was to tell Moses his name, “I AM”. God’s very name is presence, and that presence brings reassurance. We are not alone as we face life’s challenges. 2. Walking on Water: Peter’s gut reaction is to believe in Christ. “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” As he stands up in the boat, preparing for that daring leap, the other disciples are hunkered down, still holding on for dear life. Peter’s faith inspires us: At times we face crucial decisions and feel like we are about to jump out of a boat as well. The indecision we experience can seem rational. We don’t want to drown, after all. But Peter’s leap was not simply blind or foolhardy. He knew that by himself he was better off putting on a life jacket. But Christ was commanding him, “Come.” This story is not a recipe for rashness. It is a story of faith-filled obedience. When we know in our heart of hearts that Jesus has said “Come,” the leap that we take is a good decision because it is grounded in faith and trust. 3. A Helping Hand: Peter takes the leap, but he brings all his flaws with him as he lands on the solid water. The wind and the waves overwhelm his awareness of the miracle, and along with the doubt he finds himself in the water. How beautiful that Peter’s very fall awakens his faith again. He does not attempt to rely on his own swimming prowess to get back into the boat. He cries out, “Lord, save me.” Christ’s heart is filled with mercy. He immediately stretches out his hand to save his water-logged vicar. He is anxious for Peter—and us—to learn the lesson. “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” In other words, “Don’t take your eyes off of me! I will keep you afloat.” Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, you called Peter to walk on water. As long as he believed in you and your power he was fine, but his doubt got the upper hand. Strengthen my faith so that I can be obedient to you. Help me when the wind and the waves are fierce, and the inclination to doubt asserts itself. Help me to stay on top of the water! Resolution: I will pray first and then make faith-filled decisions today. By Father Steven Reilly, L.C. www.regnumchristi.org

NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, AUGUST 10, MATTHEW 14:23-33
(1 Kings 19:9a,11-13a; Psalms 85; Romans 9:1-5)

KEY VERSE: "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (v 31).
READING: After Jesus revealed himself as the one who nourished his people with the miraculous multiplication of loaves (Mt 14:13-20), he demonstrated that he was victorious over the destructive powers of evil. Jesus had sent his disciples in boat ahead of him while he went up a hill to pray. When it grew late, a turbulent storm arose on the lake. Jesus saw his disciples struggling against the winds and the waves, making little progress. As the night wore on, Jesus came toward his terrified disciples, walking on the sea, evoking the victory that enabled Israel to cross over the sea into the Promised Land (Ps 77:20). Jesus told his disciples to take courage; he was with them ("Emmanuel"). Peter, the leader of the struggling community, tried to come to the Lord, but he was overwhelmed by fear. At Jesus' command, Peter stepped forward in faith, but when he took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink beneath the waves and cried out, "Lord, save me!" (v 30b). Grasping Peter by the hand Jesus asked, "Why did you doubt?" (v 31b). Those who lacked faith now declared Jesus to be the "Son of God" (v 33b). Matthew intended his readers to see the storm-tossed boat as a symbol of the Church contesting the forces that threatened to engulf them.
REFLECTING: What is it that "drowns" me in fear, discouragement or sadness today?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to keep my eyes on you in all the storms of life.

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 Lord, show us your mercy and love, and grant us your salvation

When evening came, he was there alone.
After a hard day’s labour, Jesus needs time to rest and pray. We too could use this same inspiration after a hard day’s work, a difficult time, a challenging situation or a time of struggle or indecision. The disciples were terrified at seeing Jesus walk on the water, but he tells them to have courage. Peter endeavours to go to Jesus. His faith decreases as the wind picks up, and he begins to sink. Does that sometimes feel like us? Do we start sinking when circumstances get difficult and the result we hope for isn’t realised as quickly as we wished and we lose sight of our goal? In times of difficulty let us pray for courage so that we don’t sink under the weight of our troubles. Jesus is always there to strengthen us and provide a way.

www.pray.com.au

MINUTE MEDITATIONS 

Walk By Faith

We have to always remember that we must live our entire lives, including our prayer lives, in the light of our faith, not only in accordance with what we perceive and with what we feel. As St. Paul said so powerfully, “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

— from Answers

August 10
St. Lawrence
(d. 258?)

The esteem in which the Church holds Lawrence is seen in the fact that today’s celebration ranks as a feast. We know very little about his life. He is one of those whose martyrdom made a deep and lasting impression on the early Church. Celebration of his feast day spread rapidly.

He was a Roman deacon under Pope St. Sixtus II. Four days after this pope was put to death, Lawrence and four clerics suffered martyrdom, probably during the persecution of the Emperor Valerian.

Legendary details of his death were known to Damasus (Dec 11), Prudentius, Ambrose (December 7)  and Augustine (August 28). The church built over his tomb became one of the seven principal churches in Rome and a favorite place for Roman pilgrimages.

A well-known legend has persisted from earliest times. As deacon in Rome, Lawrence was charged with the responsibility for the material goods of the Church, and the distribution of alms to the poor. When Lawrence knew he would be arrested like the pope, he sought out the poor, widows and orphans of Rome and gave them all the money he had on hand, selling even the sacred vessels to increase the sum. When the prefect of Rome heard of this, he imagined that the Christians must have considerable treasure. He sent for Lawrence and said, “You Christians say we are cruel to you, but that is not what I have in mind. I am told that your priests offer in gold, that the sacred blood is received in silver cups, that you have golden candlesticks at your evening services. Now, your doctrine says you must render to Caesar what is his. Bring these treasures—the emperor needs them to maintain his forces. God does not cause money to be counted: He brought none of it into the world with him—only words. Give me the money, therefore, and be rich in words.”

Lawrence replied that the Church was indeed rich. “I will show you a valuable part. But give me time to set everything in order and make an inventory.” After three days he gathered a great number of blind, lame, maimed, leprous, orphaned and widowed persons and put them in rows. When the prefect arrived, Lawrence simply said, “These are the treasure of the Church.”

The prefect was so angry he told Lawrence that he would indeed have his wish to die—but it would be by inches. He had a great gridiron prepared, with coals beneath it, and had Lawrence’s body placed on it. After the martyr had suffered the pain for a long time, the legend concludes, he made his famous cheerful remark, “It is well done. Turn me over!”

Stories:

A well-known legend has persisted from earliest times. As deacon in Rome, Lawrence was charged with the responsibility for the material goods of the church and the distribution of alms to the poor. When Lawrence knew he would be arrested like the pope, he sought out the poor, widows and orphans of Rome and gave them all the money he had on hand, selling even the sacred vessels to increase the sum. When the prefect of Rome heard of this, he imagined that the Christians must have considerable treasure. He sent for Lawrence and said, “You Christians say we are cruel to you, but that is not what I have in mind. I am told that your priests offer in gold, that the sacred blood is received in silver cups, that you have golden candlesticks at your evening services. Now, your doctrine says you must render to Caesar what is his. Bring these treasures—the emperor needs them to maintain his forces. God does not cause money to be counted: He brought none of it into the world with him—only words. Give me the money, therefore, and be rich in words.”

Lawrence replied that the church was indeed rich. “I will show you a valuable part. But give me time to set everything in order and make an inventory.” After three days he gathered a great number of blind, lame, maimed, leprous, orphaned and widowed persons and put them in rows. When the prefect arrived, Lawrence simply said, “These are the treasure of the church.”

The prefect was so angry he told Lawrence that he would indeed have his wish to die—but it would be by inches. He had a great gridiron prepared, with coals beneath it, and had Lawrence’s body placed on it. After the martyr had suffered the pain for a long time, the legend concludes, he made his famous cheerful remark, “It is well done. Turn me over!”

Comment:

Once again we have a saint about whom almost nothing is known, yet one who has received extraordinary honor in the Church since the fourth century. Almost nothing—yet the greatest fact of his life is certain: He died for Christ. We who are hungry for details about the lives of the saints are again reminded that their holiness was, after all, a total response to Christ, expressed perfectly by a death like this.

Patron Saint of:

Cooks
Poor

www.americancatholic.org

LECTIO DIVINA: 19TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (A)

Lectio: 

 Sunday, August 10, 2014  

Jesus walks on the sea
Matthew 14, 22-33

1. Opening prayer

Come Holy Spirit, my life is going through a storm, the egoistic winds impel me where I do not wish to go, I cannot resist their force. I am weak and deprived of strength. You are the energy which gives life. You are my comfort, my force and my cry of prayer. Come, Holy Spirit, reveal to me the sense of the Scriptures, give me peace anew, serenity and the joy of living.

2. Lectio

a) Key to the reading:

Jesus and his Disciples are on the side of the lake, at night fall, after the multiplication of the loaves. Part of the passage is also found in Mark (6, 45-52) and in John (6, 16-21). The episode of Peter (vv. 28-32) is found only in Matthew. Some commentators hold that it is a question of an apparition of Jesus after the Resurrection (Lk 24, 37). The difficulties of the Church and the need for a greater faith in the Risen Jesus are thus foreshadowed.

b) A possible division of the Text:

Matthew 14, 22-23: related to the multiplication of the loaves
Matthew 14, 24-27: Jesus walks on the sea
Matthew 14, 28-32: the episode of Peter
Matthew 14, 33: the profession of faith.

c) Text:

22 And at once he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he sent the crowds away. 23 After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 while the boat, by now some furlongs from land, was hard pressed by rough waves, for there was a head-wind. 25 In the fourth watch of the night he came towards them, walking on the sea, 26 and when the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. 'It is a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, 'Courage! It's me! Don't be afraid.' 28 It was Peter who answered. 'Lord,' he said, 'if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.' 29 Jesus said, 'Come.' Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, 30 but then noticing the wind, he took fright and began to sink. 'Lord,' he cried, 'save me!' 31 Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. 'You have so little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?' 32 And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. 33 The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, 'Truly, you are the Son of God.'

3. A Moment of prayerful silence

A desire to keep silence and to listen to God’s voice.

Some questions:

In moments of darkness and interior storms, how do I react? How are the presence and absence of the Lord integrated in me? What place does personal prayer and dialogue with God have in me?
What do we ask the Lord in a dark night? A miracle, that he frees us from this? A greater faith? In which attitudes am I similar to Peter?

4. Meditatio

Brief commentary

22. And at once he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side while he sent the crowds away.
The multiplication of the loaves (14, 13-21) could have generated in the disciples triumphant expectations concerning the Kingdom of God. Therefore, Jesus orders them at once to get away. He ‘obliged’, usually a verb of strong significance. The people acclaim Jesus as a Prophet (Jn 6, 14-15) and wish to make him a political ruler. The disciples are easily drawn by this (Mk 6, 52; Mt 16, 5-12), there is the risk of allowing themselves to be drawn by the enthusiasm of the people. The disciples have to abandon this situation.

23. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came he was there alone. 
Jesus finds himself in front a situation in which the Galilean crowd becomes enthusiastic because of the miracle and runs the risk of not understanding His mission. In this very important moment, Jesus withdraws alone in prayer, as in Gethsemane (Mt 26, 36-46).

24. While the boat, by now some furlongs from land, was hard pressed by rough waves, for there was a head-wind.
This verse where the boat is noticed, without Jesus, in danger, can be close to verse 32 where the danger ceases when Jesus and Peter get into the boat.

25. In the fourth watch of the night he came towards them, walking on the sea. 
Jesus appears to his disciples in an extraordinary way. He transcends the human limitations, he has authority on creation. He acts as God alone can do it (Job 9, 8; 38, 16).

26. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’, they said, and cried out in fear. 
The disciples were struggling with the contrary wind, they had lived a very impressing day and now a sleepless night. At night (between three and six), in the middle of the sea, they were really terrified in seeing one coming towards them. They did not think in the possibility that it could be Jesus. Their vision is too human , and they believe in ghosts (Lk 24, 37). The Risen Lord though, has overcome the force of chaos represented by the waves of the sea.

27. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying. ‘Courage! It is me! Do not be afraid!. 
The presence of Jesus drives away all fear (9, 2.22). In saying “It is me” he evokes his identity (Es 3, 14) and manifests the power of God (Mk 14, 62; Lk 24, 39; Jn 8, 58; 18, 5-6). Fear is overcome by faith.

28. It was Peter who answered: ‘Lord, he said, ‘If it is you, tell me to come to you across the water’. 
Peter seems to want still another confirmation of the presence of Jesus. He asks for a sign.

29. Jesus said, ‘Come’. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water. 
Nevertheless, Peter is ready to run the risk, getting out of the boat and trying to walk on the agitated waves, in the midst of a strong wind (v. 24). He faces the risk of believing in the Word: ‘Come’.

30. But then noticing the wind, he took fright and began to sink: ‘Lord’, he cried, ‘save me!’ 
Perseverance is also necessary in the choice of faith. The contrary forces (the wind) are so many, that there is the risk of sinking. The prayer of petition saves him..

31. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘You have so little faith, he said, ‘why did you doubt?’ 
Peter is not left alone in his weakness. In the storms of Christian life we are not alone. God does not abandon us even if apparently is absent and does nothing.

32. And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. 
As soon as Jesus got in the boat the forces of evil cease. The force of hell shall not prevail over it.

33. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said: ¡Truly, you are the Son of God.’ 
Now comes that profession of faith which had been prepared in the preceding episode of the multiplication of the loaves, purified by the experience of getting away from the Bread of eternal life (Jn 6, 1-14). Now Peter can also confirm his brothers in faith, after the trial.

5. For those who wish to go deeper into the text

Jesus, man of prayer

Jesus prays in solitude and at night (Mt 14, 23; Mk 1, 35; Lk 5, 16), during the time of meals (Mt 14, 19; 15, 36; 26, 26-27). On the occasion of important events: for Baptism (Lk 3, 21), before choosing the twelve (Lk 6, 12), before teaching how to pray (Lk 11, 1; Mt 6, 5); before the confession of Caesarea (Lk 9, 18); in the Transfiguration (Lk 9, 28-29), in Gethsemane (Mt 26, 36-44); on the Cross (Mt 27, 46; Lk 23, 46). He prays for his executioners (Lk 23, 34); for Peter (Lk 22, 32), for his disciples and for those who will follow him (Jn 17, 9-24). He also prays for himself (Mt 26, 39; Jn 17, 1-5; Heb 5, 7). He teaches to pray (Mt 6, 5), He manifests a permanent relationship with the Father (Mt 11, 25-27), sure that He never leaves him alone (Jn 8, 29), and always hears him (Jn 11, 22.42; Mt 26, 53). He has promised (Jn 14, 16) to continue to intercede in heaven (Rm 8, 34; Heb 7, 25; I Jn 2, 1).

6. Oratio: Psalm 33

I will praise Yahweh from my heart;
let the humble hear and rejoice.

Proclaim with me the greatness of Yahweh,
let us acclaim his name together.

I seek Yahweh and he answers me,
frees me from all my fears.

Fix your gaze on Yahweh and your face will grow bright,
you will never hang your head in shame.

A pauper calls out and Yahweh hears,
saves him from all his troubles.

The angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him,
and rescues them.

Taste and see that Yahweh is good.
How blessed are those who take refuge in him.

Fear Yahweh, you his holy ones;
those who fear him lack for nothing.

7. Contemplatio

Lord Jesus, sometimes we are full of enthusiasm and forget that You are the source of our joy: In the moments of sadness we do not seek you or we want your miraculous intervention. Now we know that you never abandon us, that we should not fear. Prayer is also our force. Increase our faith, we are ready to risk our life for your Kingdom.

www.ocarm.org