August 9
Jesus Walks
on the Water
Gospel:
Matthew 14:22-33
Today's Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33 (Jesus Walks on the
Water)
Immediately he made the disciples get into a 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.”
Reflection:
Today's first reading takes us to Mount Horeb,
where Elijah stands waiting for God, and God doesn't come in the earthquake,
the fire, or the wind, He comes in a still, small whisper. It's almost the
exact opposite of today's Gospel, where Jesus comes to the disciples through a
wind so strong it terrifies them, walking on top of the very storm that's
tossing their boat.
Same God, two completely different ways of showing up. That should tell you
something: God isn't limited to what you expect of Him. Sometimes He's the
whisper after the storm. Sometimes He's the one walking calmly through the
middle of it while you're the one panicking.
What both moments have in common is a call to stop scanning the wind and fire
for God and start recognizing Him in whatever form He actually comes. Elijah
had to leave the cave and stand at the entrance to hear the whisper. The
disciples had to stop staring at the waves and look at the man walking toward
them.
Our Lady lived her whole life listening for a whisper most people around her
never heard, an angel's word she treasured quietly, a Son's divinity hidden
inside ordinary years in Nazareth. She never needed the earthquake to recognize
God. That kind of listening is learned, not given all at once.
Where might God be speaking to you in a way too quiet, or too strange,
for you to notice yet?
Rosary Man Jim 🌹
Freely given. Freely shared.
