Friends,
I am on the way to the World Youth Day in Madrid with a group from the Diocese. I will not be able to post until I get back. Please say a prayer all goes well and that all who go to this great event of faith will come home on fire "rooted and planted in Christ."
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
19th Sunday year (A)
Jesus walks on the water.
When Our Lord called St Peter to Him across the Sea of Galilee, what must have St Peter thought? Did he regret his bravery, his bravado, in asking the shadowy figure on the water who he was? I am sure the last thing he expected was an invitation to walk on the water. There was a risk involved - like drowning - and a choice to be made. Was it safer to stay o the boat with the turbulent waves or step out on to the water and answer Jesus’ invitation to “Come” (Matt 14:28). Did he really believe it was Christ at all?
It is not always easy to trust. It can be terrifying taking risks and making choices for God, especially when we are going through difficulties in our lives. We can feel much safer in a boat buffeted by waves. The tiny dimensions of the hull of a fishing boat keep us from the water; we would do anything to stay n that boat; we 'don't DO walking on the water!' Do we have the faith of St Peter to stretch out our hands and cling to Jesus? We cannot afford to take our eyes off Jesus for a moment, even though there are times when we find it hard to trust either ourselves of Him.
Are we listening to the gentle breeze of the Spirit guiding and steering us in the right direction or are we caught up in worldly turmoil, darkness and scandal?
The first reading is set on a mountain, the Gospel on a lake in a storm. The Rock, Peter, is even over come by the 'full force of the wind' and begins to sink. Jesus is like the mountain. He can never be over come or drowned by the sea. He is there for us when the waves threaten and scare. He is there when all seems hopeless. He tells us:”Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid”, (Matt 14:27).
There was a book called "The Lost Art of Walking on Water": Jesus, give us the courage to see you, give us the courage to walk towards you.
When Our Lord called St Peter to Him across the Sea of Galilee, what must have St Peter thought? Did he regret his bravery, his bravado, in asking the shadowy figure on the water who he was? I am sure the last thing he expected was an invitation to walk on the water. There was a risk involved - like drowning - and a choice to be made. Was it safer to stay o the boat with the turbulent waves or step out on to the water and answer Jesus’ invitation to “Come” (Matt 14:28). Did he really believe it was Christ at all?
It is not always easy to trust. It can be terrifying taking risks and making choices for God, especially when we are going through difficulties in our lives. We can feel much safer in a boat buffeted by waves. The tiny dimensions of the hull of a fishing boat keep us from the water; we would do anything to stay n that boat; we 'don't DO walking on the water!' Do we have the faith of St Peter to stretch out our hands and cling to Jesus? We cannot afford to take our eyes off Jesus for a moment, even though there are times when we find it hard to trust either ourselves of Him.
Are we listening to the gentle breeze of the Spirit guiding and steering us in the right direction or are we caught up in worldly turmoil, darkness and scandal?
The first reading is set on a mountain, the Gospel on a lake in a storm. The Rock, Peter, is even over come by the 'full force of the wind' and begins to sink. Jesus is like the mountain. He can never be over come or drowned by the sea. He is there for us when the waves threaten and scare. He is there when all seems hopeless. He tells us:”Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid”, (Matt 14:27).
Are we listening to the gentle breeze of the Spirit guiding and steering us in the right direction or are we caught up in worldly turmoil, darkness and scandal? Let our faith in His power in our lives, be the light that allows His presence to filter through to us.
There was a book called "The Lost Art of Walking on Water": Jesus, give us the courage to see you, give us the courage to walk towards you.
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