The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Tuesday, 4 August 2015

The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Tuesday, 4 August 2015

Meditation: Matthew 14:22 Immediately he had the talmidim get in the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowds away. 23 After he had sent the crowds away, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night came on, and he was there alone. 24 But by this time, the boat was several miles from shore, battling a rough sea and a headwind. 25 Around four o’clock in the morning, he came toward them, walking on the lake! 26 When the talmidim saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said and screamed with fear. 27 But at once Yeshua spoke to them. “Courage,” he said, “it is I. Stop being afraid.” 28 Then Kefa called to him, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come!” he said. So Kefa got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Yeshua. 30 But when he saw the wind, he became afraid; and as he began to sink, he yelled, “Lord! Save me!” 31 Yeshua immediately stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “Such little trust! Why did you doubt?” 32 As they went up into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 The men in the boat fell down before him and exclaimed, “You really are God’s son!”

34 Having made the crossing, they landed at Ginosar. 35 When the people of the place recognized him, they sent word throughout the neighborhood and brought him everyone who was ill. 36 They begged him that the sick people might only touch the tzitzit on his robe, and all who touched it were completely healed.

Saint John Vianney, Priest (Memorial)
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. (Matthew 14:29)
Imagine the confusion and fear in a small child who is suddenly separated from his parents. They may only be steps away, but the child is filled with trepidation until Mom or Dad comes into view. Then all that fear gives way to peace.
In the midst of the storm, Jesus stood right in front of the apostles. “It is I,” he told them. “Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). As Peter looked at Jesus, the storm seemed to fade away. All that mattered was that Jesus was there, defying the laws of gravity and banishing fear. In that moment, Peter’s heart was lifted above the waves, and he stepped out of the boat. Jesus became the source of his confidence and security, not the boat. Even when he turned from Jesus’ gaze and began to sink, he called to Jesus for help, and he was saved.
Our hearts and thoughts are constantly being pulled this way and that by the waves around us. It may be an illness, financial concerns, relationship challenges, or major decisions facing us. But Jesus remains the one and only constant. He sits at God’s right hand and has all power and authority. He also loves us completely. Filled with compassion and working according to his plan, he lets nothing catch him off guard. That’s why whenever we lift our hearts to him, he reminds us of who he is and all he wants to do in our lives.
It’s in these moments that our hearts are strengthened by faith. It is in these moments that we grasp that Jesus is right in front of us, always reaching out to us and reminding us of his power. We were created to know him, to see him face-to-face, and to hear his words to us.
Today Jesus is telling us, “It is I; do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). So respond to him today by picturing him sitting on his throne, gazing at you in love, and reaching out to help you.
“Jesus, I want to know you more. I want my heart to be so sure of you and your love that I can look above the waves in my life. Lord, you are worthy of my trust!” Amen!
Numbers 12:1 Miryam and Aharon began criticizing Moshe on account of the Ethiopian woman he had married, for he had in fact married an Ethiopian woman. 2 They said, “Is it true that Adonai has spoken only with Moshe? Hasn’t he spoken with us too?” Adonai heard them. 3 Now this man Moshe was very humble, more so than anyone on earth. 4 Suddenly Adonai told Moshe, Aharon and Miryam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” The three of them went out.

5 Adonai came down in a column of cloud and stood at the entrance to the tent. He summoned Aharon and Miryam, and they both went forward. 6 He said, “Listen to what I say: when there is a prophet among you, I, Adonai, make myself known to him in a vision, I speak with him in a dream. 7 But it isn’t that way with my servant Moshe. He is the only one who is faithful in my entire household. 8 With him I speak face to face and clearly, not in riddles; he sees the image of Adonai. So why weren’t you afraid to criticize my servant Moshe?” 9 The anger of Adonai flared up against them, and he left.

10 But when the cloud was removed from above the tent, Miryam had tzara‘at, as white as snow. Aharon looked at Miryam, and she was as white as snow. 11 Aharon said to Moshe, “Oh, my lord, please don’t punish us for this sin we committed so foolishly. 12 Please don’t let her be like a stillborn baby, with its body half eaten away when it comes out of its mother’s womb!” 13 Moshe cried to Adonai, “Oh God, I beg you, please, heal her!”

Psalm 51:3 (1) God, in your grace, have mercy on me;

in your great compassion, blot out my crimes.

4 (2) Wash me completely from my guilt,

and cleanse me from my sin.

5 (3) For I know my crimes,

my sin confronts me all the time.

6 (4) Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil from your perspective;

so that you are right in accusing me

and justified in passing sentence.

7 (5) True, I was born guilty,

was a sinner from the moment my mother conceived me.

12 (10) Create in me a clean heart, God;

renew in me a resolute spirit.

13 (11) Don’t thrust me away from your presence,

don’t take your Ruach Kodesh away from me.

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