Christ, who is over All, God Blessed Forever -Romans 9:5
A Reflection for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Brent Smith, Director of Adult Faith Formation & Evangelization
The humanity of the Apostles is highly relatable to our own. One late afternoon, these dozen men climb aboard a boat and begin traveling across the Sea of Galilee. Truly a lake dwarfed by any of the Great Lakes, this “sea” is filled with fresh water and an abundance of fish. Possibly overly confident from some of their shared experience as fishermen, the Apostles are seemingly unphased by the possibility of poor weather.
During their travel, a terrible storm delays them, “the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it” (Mt 14:24). Jesus arrives by foot and proceeds to welcome Peter to join him in defying physics. As the storm continues to rage, Peter’s bravado is cut short by the howling wind, blinding waves, and fear of falling beneath the water’s surface.
As he gets ahold of Peter’s grip, Jesus raises a question, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mt 14:31). While those words certainly call for an increase of trust from this leading Apostle, the reality of the situation would likely cause anyone to lose sight of Christ. Like the other men who followed the Lord Jesus, Peter must have felt doggone tired and awestruck by a celestial being (or ghost) crossing a deep lake in the darkness of night.
To their amazement, and likely our own, Jesus Christ is a man of flesh and blood. Beyond that, however, this extraordinary person is none other than the Son of God. Anointed as the Redeemer of Israel and for everyone who turns to him for mercy, Jesus is offering his hand to you. In the midst of life’s hardships and joys, he stands at the entrance of your heart, waiting to whisper words of salvation.
I am listening to what the Lord God is saying; he promises peace to us, his own people… Surely he is ready to save those who honor him. (Ps. 85:13-14 ~ Today's English Version)