Greetings on this the Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jeremiah 28:1-17; Psalm 119:29, 43, 79, 80, 95, 102; Matthew 14:22-36
Summary
The boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
Jesus sends us on mission near and far and there are always storms – resistance, difficulty, scarcity.
But the first storm is always what contradictions we are stuck in.
Ghosts – Fear can make the presence of Christ appear to us as another threat.
Test – Peter’s faith is real enough to leave the boat, but still dependent upon extraordinary confirmation. Nascent faith.
Strong Winds – This is the natural world. There are always storms in life.
Sinking – It is fair to relate this to the fear of death and death itself.
So if I were thinking to answer Why did you doubt? It would be:
- We hold onto the ghosts – the myths – the unimportant – the tangental – rather than the weightier things.
- Test – We test the Spirit of God – sometimes correctly (clarification, uncertainty) but usually from basic passive resistance and/or the seeking of novelty or vain attention.
- Strong winds – let’s face it problems multiply like rabbits. Life is sometimes a game of Whack-a-Mole. And that is the point. The many waves make excellent distractions from holiness.
- Death or near death – it gets our attention. As well it should. But it can become an obsession, irrational exaggeration/imminence and object of desire. Death is part of our journey, but it is not our final destination.
Reflection
Their doubt does not cancel the mission. Jesus brings them through the storm and into a place of healing.
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.
Personal Reflection
I hope this doesn’t sound too weird. I love being home during storms. My bedroom has a Lanai attached. So the storm rages yet I am safely tucked in bed or reading a book in a chair and I can watch the storm not in anticipation of harm but in wonder of its power. That’s how I feel when I am with Jesus. The storms of life remain powerful and can even wound us, but they are subordinate of the safety of the Lord’s presence.
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.
Doubt is not always refusal to believe. Sometimes it is faith struggling to interpret Christ correctly while the wind is louder than his voice.
This is where I want the story to end/start. He beckons, I come to him, we walk together rain or shine.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080326.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry