Faith Matures

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: JER 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22; PS 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 AND 22-23; MT 14:22-36
Notes: Faith matures. I am always impressed by those who gain faith and never deviate or question. Very cool As to the rest of us:

1. FIRST READING: Sometimes faith grows by first rejecting the relational rightness with God and others.
2. GOSPEL PORTION: Sometimes faith grows because we see the good effects upon others.
3. GOSPEL PORTION: Sometimes faith grows because we are scared out of our minds and utter the most honest prayer of all: God save me!

In our continuous reading Jesus finally got an opportunity to be alone and pray for a little while.

Yesterday
After John the Baptist was executed.
Jesus healed the sick.
Fed the 5,000 men and innumerable women and children.

Today
Now, he wants to take the disciples to the other shore, to Gennesaret.
They recognized him there too as well they should.
People brought to him all those who were sick
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak,
and as many as touched it were healed.

Walking on Water
There was a grandfather who every year on his birthday would go off the dock and walk on the water.
His son too every year on his birthday he would go off the dock and walk on the water.
The grandson, not to be outdone, attempted the same on his birthday. He sank to the bottom.

Perplexed, he asked grandfather why!

Well, grandfather was born in January, your dad in February and you my, grandson, in August.

Faith Matures!

First reading
You shall be my people,
and I will be your God.

In the first reading the hope of the future is reassured to the people.

The Restoration will occur.

In Jewish theology the covenant cycle of is made known here:

• Divine promise
• People break promise response
• Trouble comes
• People beg restoration
• Divine restoration

The sacred scripture is always written in the voice of divine control but we know our misery is often (not always but often) of our own making.

Sometime faith grows by first rejecting the relational rightness with God and others.

Responsorial Psalm
The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.

Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
“The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die.”

Alleluia Verse
Rabbi, you are the Son of God;
you are the King of Israel.

Gospel Portion
Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side of the sea,
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.

But when [Peter] 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 him,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret.
When the men of that place recognized him,
they sent word to all the surrounding country.
People brought to him all those who were sick
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak,
and as many as touched it were healed.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry