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Catholic Caucus: Sunday Mass Readings, 08-10-14, Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 08-10-14 | Revised New American Bible

Posted on 08/09/2014 8:10:15 PM PDT by Salvation

August 10, 2014

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

 

Reading 1 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a

At the mountain of God, Horeb,
Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter.
Then the LORD said to him,
“Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;
the LORD will be passing by.”
A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains
and crushing rocks before the LORD—
but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake—
but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake there was fire—
but the LORD was not in the fire.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14

R/ (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD — for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R/ Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R/ Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R/ Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

Reading 2 Rom 9:1-5

Brothers and sisters:
I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie;
my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness
that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ
for the sake of my own people,
my kindred according to the flesh.
They are Israelites;
theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants,
the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;
theirs the patriarchs, and from them,
according to the flesh, is the Christ,
who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

Gospel Mt 14:22-33

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side,
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.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
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.
But when he 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 Peter,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”



TOPICS: Catholic; General Discusssion; Prayer; Worship
KEYWORDS: catholic; mt14; ordinarytime; prayer
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Sunday Gospel Reflection

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I: 1Kings 19:9,11-13 II: Romans 11:33-36


Gospel
Matthew 14:22-33

22 Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
24 but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.
27 But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."
28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water."
29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus;
30 but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."
31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?"
32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."


Interesting Details
One Main Point

Jesus is the Son of God.

"It is I" (v.27) denotes divinity (Is 41:4 and 43:10). Walking on the water is also associated with God's action: "Who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea (Job 9:8; see also Ex 14:13-31, Ps 77:20, Is 43:16, Hab 3:15). People, after seeing Jesus' actions and power, also proclaim his divinity (v.33).


Reflections
  1. How much faith do I have in Jesus the Lord? What experiences do I have that bring me to the conclusion "Truly Jesus is the Son of God."
  2. What were the storms in my life? Did they affect my loyalty to the Lord? What storms am I afraid of now?
  3. Cry out to Jesus, "Lord, save me." What is Jesus' response?

21 posted on 08/09/2014 9:21:25 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
Since God is perfect in loving man, man must be perfect in loving his neighbor.

-- Saint Vincent Pallotti

22 posted on 08/09/2014 9:23:24 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Just A Minute Just A Minute (Listen)
Some of EWTN's most popular hosts and guests in a collection of one minute inspirational messages. A different message each time you click.

23 posted on 08/09/2014 9:25:00 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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The Angelus 

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: 
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. 

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word. 

Hail Mary . . . 

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us. 

Hail Mary . . . 


Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 

Let us pray: 

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen. 


24 posted on 08/09/2014 9:26:16 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

Saint Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr
Feast Day
August 10th

FRA ANGELICO
St Sixtus Ordains St Lawrence
1447-49
Fresco, 271 x 197 cm
Cappella Niccolina, Palazzi Pontifici, Vatican

(+258) A Roman deacon, he died four days after Pope Sixtus II, during the persecution of Valerian. Arrested by the prefect and called on to deliver up the property of the Church, his answer was a to point to a crowd of poor people. "Here are the true treasures of the Church," he said. He was burned to death on a gridiron.

Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003

Collect:
O God, giver of that ardor of love for you
by which Saint Lawrence was outstandingly faithful in service
and glorious in martyrdom,
grant that we may love what he loved
and put into practice what he taught.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.

First Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10
The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever."

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Gospel Reading: John 12:24-26
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If any one serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him.



BartolomeoVivarini
St Lawrence the Martyr
Panel
Church of S. Stefano, Venice


25 posted on 08/10/2014 8:40:52 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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St. Lawrence and the Holy Grail
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] Feast Of St. Lawrence
St. Lawrence -- Deacon and Martyr (Early historical accounts)
St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr -- St. Augustine
St. Lawrence
Meteors on the Feast of St. Lawrence
The Martyrdom of St. Laurence (Lawrence)
26 posted on 08/10/2014 8:56:43 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Information: St. Lawrence

Feast Day: August 10

Born: 225, Osca, Hispania (now modern-day Spain)

Died: August 10, 258, Rome

Major Shrine: Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura in Rome

Patron of: Rome, comedians, librarians, students, tanners, chefs

27 posted on 08/10/2014 9:09:23 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Interactive Saints for Kids

St. Lawrence


Feast Day: August 10
Born: (about) 100 :: Died: 158

This famous martyr of Rome lived in the third century. He was one of seven deacons who were in charge of giving help to the poor and the needy.

Then big trouble started and the troublemakers who did not like Christians decided to kill Pope St. Sixtus II. As they took the Pope away for execution (to chop off his head), Lawrence followed him weeping.

"Father, where are you going without your deacon?"

"I am not leaving you, my son," answered the Pope. "In three days you will follow me."

Full of joy, Lawrence gave to the poor the rest of the money he had with him. He even sold expensive church vessels so he would have more money to give away.

The prefect of Rome, a greedy man, thought the Church had a great fortune hidden away. He ordered Lawrence to bring the Church's treasure to him. The saint said he would, in three days.

Then he went through the city and gathered together all the poor and sick people supported by the Church. He showed them to the prefect and said: "These people are the Church's treasure."

The prefect was furious. In his anger he asked them to kill Lawrence slowly so he would suffer more. The saint was tied on top of an iron grill over a slow fire that roasted him.

God gave him so much strength and joy that Lawrence joked with the judge saying "Turn me over".

Before he died, he prayed that the city of Rome might be converted to Jesus. He prayed that the Catholic faith would spread all over the world.

Lawrence died on August 10, 158. His feast spread throughout Italy and northern Africa. Emperor Constantine built a beautiful basilica in Lawrence's honor. St. Lawrence is among the saints mentioned in the First Eucharistic Prayer at Mass.


28 posted on 08/10/2014 9:11:42 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Sunday, August 10

Liturgical Color: Green

The Church dedicates August to the
Immaculate Heart of Mary. Devotion to
Mary’s Immaculate Heart began in the
11th century. It reminds us of her love
for God and offers us a model as we
work to increase our own holiness.

29 posted on 08/10/2014 10:47:46 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Day 240 - How important is health? // Why is it a sin to take drugs?

How important is health?

Health is an important value, but not an absolute one. We should treat our God-given body gratefully and carefully, but not be obsessed with it. Appropriate care for the health of its citizens is one of the fundamental obligations of the State, which must create living conditions in which sufficient food, sanitary housing, and basic medical care are available to all.


Why is it a sin to take drugs?

Using drugs is a sin because it is an act of self-destruction and thus an offense against the life that God has given us out of love. Every form of a person's dependence on legal substances (alcohol, medication, tobacco) and even more so on illegal drugs is an exchange of freedom for slavery; it damages the health and life of the person concerned and also does great harm to the people around him. Every time a person loses or forgets himself by becoming intoxicated, which can also include excessive eating and drinking, indulgence in sexual activity, or speeding with an automobile, he loses some of his human dignity and freedom and therefore sins against God. This should be distinguished from the reasonable, conscious, and moderate use of enjoyable things. (YOUCAT questions 388-389)


Dig Deeper: CCC section (2288-2291) and other references here.


30 posted on 08/10/2014 11:06:55 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation

Part 3: Life in Christ (1691 - 2557)

Section 2: The Ten Commandments (2052 - 2557)

Chapter 2: You Shall Love Your Neighbor as Yourself (2196 - 2557)

Article 5: The Fifth Commandment (2258 - 2330)

Jesus said to his disciples: "Love one another even as I have loved you."1

You shall not kill.54

You have heard that it was said to the men of old, "You shall not kill: and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment." But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment.55

II. RESPECT FOR THE DIGNITY OF PERSONS

Respect for health

1503
1509
(all)

2288

Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.

Concern for the health of its citizens requires that society help in the attainment of living-conditions that allow them to grow and reach maturity: food and clothing, housing, health care, basic education, employment, and social assistance.

1.

Jn 13:34.

54.

Ex 20:13; Cf. Deut 5:17.

55.

Mt 5:21-22.

2113
364
(all)

2289

If morality requires respect for the life of the body, it does not make it an absolute value. It rejects a neo-pagan notion that tends to promote the cult of the body, to sacrifice everything for it's sake, to idolize physical perfection and success at sports. By its selective preference of the strong over the weak, such a conception can lead to the perversion of human relationships.

1809
(all)

2290

The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others' safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.

2291

The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense. Clandestine production of and trafficking in drugs are scandalous practices. They constitute direct co-operation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law.


31 posted on 08/10/2014 11:07:48 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Catholic Culture

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/pictures/jesus_walk_water.jpg

 

Daily Readings for:August 10, 2014
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: Almighty ever-living God, whom, taught by the Holy Spirit, we dare to call our Father, bring, we pray, to perfection in our hearts the spirit of adoption as your sons and daughters, that we may merit to enter into the inheritance which you have promised. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

o    Late Summer into Fall Sample Menu

ACTIVITIES

o    Religion in the Home for Elementary School: August

PRAYERS

o    Book of Blessings: Blessing of Food or Drink or Other Elements Connected with Devotion

o    Book of Blessings: Blessing Before and After Meals: Ordinary Time (2nd Plan)

·         Ordinary Time: August 10th

·         Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Old Calendar: Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid" (Matt. 14:25-27).

Click here for commentary on the readings in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

The Feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr, is superseded by the Sunday liturgy.


 

Sunday Readings
The first reading is taken from the first Book of Kings 19:9a, 11-13a and relates the story of Elijah in the cave and the Lord coming to him in a "still small voice."

The second reading is from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans 9:1-5 in which St. Paul speaks of the sorrow of heart that he has because the Jews, as a nation, had refused to see Christ as the Messiah who was promised to them by God through their patriarchs and prophets.

The Gospel is from St. Matthew 14:22-33. Our Lord sent His disciples to row across the lake, knowing that they would meet strong, gale-force head-winds and be in danger. He did this because He wanted to strengthen their faith and trust in Himself. He intended to come to them at the right moment, working two miracles — walking on the water and calming the storm. This He did and the result was as He had intended — their faith in Him was strengthened, they declared He was the Messiah, the Chosen of God. Peter, already the recognized leader, and always the most daring among them, showed himself ready to risk drowning in order to prove his trust and confidence in Christ. While he trusted in Christ, all went well, but when his faith weakened he would have been lost were it not for the outstretched helping hand of his master. This was also a very necessary lesson in the education of Peter and his companions.

For us, too, there is a necessary lesson in this incident. It is that we must continue to trust in Christ and his loving Father, even when God seems to have deserted us. Most of the troubles and trials of our lives are caused by the injustice and lack of charity of our fellowmen. The remainder can be attributed to our own defects and sins or to some weakness in our mental and bodily make-up. But God foresees all these misfortunes, and can prevent them. Instead he lets them take their course, because they can and should be the means of educating us in our knowledge of life's true meaning and they should draw us closer to him.

Christ foresaw the storm and the grave risk His Apostles would run when He sent them off across the lake. But that trial and the grave danger they ran was for their own good, because they learned to realize that He was from God and they could always trust Him. Our trials and our earthly ailments are also foreseen by God and permitted by him (even if inflicted on us by a sinful fellowman) so that they will draw us closer to Him and help us on the road to heaven.

This they will do, if we accept them and bear with them until He comes to our aid. Our troubles in life are like the growing pains of our youth — they are necessary if we are to arrive at our full stature as sons of God. They form, mold and shape our religious character and bring us closer to God — if we allow them to do so. For the lukewarm Christian who rebels against God because of his earthly sufferings, they can do the opposite. He cannot see the purpose and value of suffering because he has never seriously pondered or grasped the real meaning of this life and God's loving plans for him.

As in the first reading today, God may not be in the tornadoes or earthquakes or roaring fires, nor does He cause them perhaps, but He is ever near to His true children when such calamities occur. He has a purpose in every trial or tribulation which crosses the path of our lives, a purpose always to our eternal advantage if only we will see and accept his will in these trials.

Excerpted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O'Sullivan, O.F.M.


32 posted on 08/10/2014 12:40:58 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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The Word Among Us

Meditation: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Lord was not in the earthquake. (1 Kings 19:11)

How often have you seen a movie where God appears amidst lightning bolts and angelic choirs and then speaks in a terrifying, booming voice? Images like these are so common that we may think that this is how God normally speaks. Add to that all the biblical stories where God intervenes on an even larger scale, and we come away thinking that’s the only way we’ll ever hear the Lord. After all, very few of us are in the habit of being interrupted by a deafening voice or a lightning bolt from on high!

That’s why today’s first reading is such a blessing. It tells us that God doesn’t always thunder from the heavens. Sometimes—quite often, in fact—his voice comes in a “tiny whispering sound” (1 Kings 19:12).

Why would the Creator of the universe talk so softly? Maybe because he wants to teach us how to listen, just as he taught Elijah. Maybe because he wants a relationship with us—just as he had with Elijah—rather than have us live in fear of his showing up.

The fact that we aren’t always being overwhelmed doesn’t mean that God is avoiding us. Quite the opposite, in fact. He’s always speaking! He loves to guide our thoughts and our steps. He loves to open our hearts to his truths and heal us of our hurts. No, God speaks softly and intimately so that we will take the time to slow down. He wants us to learn how to quiet our racing minds so that we can focus on him and his word.

God doesn’t want to overwhelm our eyes and ears every time he has something to say. For one thing, that would get awfully exhausting! But even more important, he wants us to see him as our loving Father, not as a frightening deity. Like any other father, he wants to spend time with us so that we can learn his ways and receive his wisdom.

So sit quietly today. Breathe deeply. And listen.

“Father, help me to still my heart so that I can hear your voice.”

Psalm 85:9-14; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

(1 Kings 19:9,11-13; Psalm 85:9-14; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-23)

1. In the first reading, Elijah “saw” the Lord in the “tiny whispering sound.” Do you believe that God can speak to you deep within, as you come to him in prayer? Why or why not?

2. The Responsorial Psalm also speaks of “seeing” the Lord’s kindness and “hearing” what God proclaims. Has there ever been a time when you felt you heard from God during a time of prayer? What was the result?

3. In the second reading, St. Paul expresses his great desire for the salvation of the Jewish people, even to the point of being willing to be “cut off from Christ for the sake of my people.” He then goes on to explain all that we Christians have inherited from the Jewish people, ending with the fact that from them came Jesus Christ himself. What steps can you take to express your thankfulness for this “inheritance” to some Jewish people you know?

4. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks these words to his terrified disciples, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Do you believe that Jesus wants to speak these same words to you as well? What are the obstacles that can keep you from hearing these words and how can you overcome them?

5. The meditation speaks of the different ways God can speak to us. What are some of the ways God speaks to you?

6. The meditation also tells us that God “wants us to see him as our loving Father, not as a frightening deity. Like any other father, he wants to spend time with us so that we can learn his ways and receive his wisdom.” What are the obstacles that keep you from seeing God as your “loving Father” who wants to “spend time with us so that we can learn his ways and receive his wisdom”? What steps can you take to overcome them?

7. Nowhere does God speak more passionately to us than during Mass. We can actually hear his still, small voice as we worship him with all of our brothers and sisters in the faith? What steps can you take before and during Mass to make this a greater reality in our life?

8. Take some time now to pray and ask your heavenly Father to open your heart and mind to hear his voice. Use the prayer at the end of the mediation as the starting point.


33 posted on 08/10/2014 12:44:55 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Marriage=One Man and One Woman 'Til Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for August 10, 2014:

“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mt 14:31) Do you have doubts or concerns about your marriage? Consider enhancing or healing your marriage by checking out some of the resources on our page. Even if your marriage is going well, consider going on a retreat together.

34 posted on 08/10/2014 12:49:59 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Sunday Scripture Study

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle A

August 10, 2014

Click here for USCCB readings

Opening Prayer  

First Reading: 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a

Psalm: 85:9-14

Second Reading: Romans 9:1-5 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 14:22-33

 

QUESTIONS:

Closing Prayer

Catechism of the Catholic Church:  §§ 2602, 448, 156, 547—548, 1335

 

When we find ourselves in some grave danger we must not lose courage but firmly trust in God, for where there is the greatest danger, there is also the greatest help from Him who wants to be called our 'Help' in times of peace and in times of tribulation.  ~St. Ambrose

35 posted on 08/10/2014 12:53:43 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Walking on Water Pastor’s Column

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 10, 2014

 

“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid!” from Matthew 14:22-33

 

In this Sunday’s gospel, “Jesus MADE the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the lake (Matthew 14:22).” Once again we find Jesus having a need for solitude and he finds a way to get it. Notice also that Jesus has sent the disciples right into a storm, with the wind and the waves tossing the ship about and the boat making little headway. Somehow, God’s will for the disciples was that they should sail into troubled weather even while being obedient to the voice of Jesus.

How often we Christians find ourselves in just this type of situation in life. Sometimes, we may even feel we are doing the Lord’s work or obeying something we feel God wants us to do; and then the wind and the waves come up and give us all kinds of resistance! There was another storm the disciples had been through with Jesus, when he was asleep in the boat, where he did not wake up until everyone had nearly drowned; but in this storm, Jesus is not even in the boat (yet he is nearby).

Even when Jesus appears to be absent in certain situations of our lives, our faith tells us that he is always nearby. Sometimes we must experience the waves and the winds of tribulations and sufferings! Even Jesus was not exempt from this part of life. Even Jesus had the experience of feeling a deep abandonment by God at one point in his crucifixion, but all of this was part of the proof and test of love, faith and challenges that represent the Christian vocation.

Jesus in this Gospel, of course, has an extraordinary means of crossing the lake--simply by walking on the water! It would appear that Jesus meant to pass the disciples’ boat by and let them keep struggling, but it is noteworthy that he also walked close enough to the boat to be recognized.

Every time we are in a storm-tossed boat, we can hear Jesus saying this to us as well: “Take courage, it is I. Do not be afraid!” The phrase, “Do not be afraid” was one of the late Pope John Paul II’s favorite expressions. Certainly, if anyone had cause to be afraid, it should have been he, when faced with the challenge of leading the church with a deeply debilitating illness. Yet, the Pope’s courage and serenity in his final time is exactly what the Lord wishes us to know and experience in our trials. Though we may be storm-tossed and the wind might be against us, when we see Jesus coming he brings courage and fear begins to disappear.

                                                Father Gary


36 posted on 08/10/2014 1:07:19 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Reflections from Scott Hahn

Sinking Fear: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Dr. Scott Hahn on 08.08.14 |

 

Walking on Water

Readings:
1 Kings 19:9, 11-13

Psalm 85:9-14

Romans 9:1-5

Matthew 14:22-33


How do we find God in the storms and struggles of our lives, in the trials we encounter in trying to do His will?



God commands Elijah in today’s First Reading to stand on the mountain and await His passing by. And in the Gospel, Jesus makes the disciples set out across the waters to meet Him.



In each case, the Lord makes himself present amid frightening tumult - heavy winds and high waves, fire and earthquakes. 



Elijah hides his face. Perhaps he remembers Moses, who met God on the same mountain, also amid fire, thunder, and smoke (see Deuteronomy 4:10-15; Exodus 19:17-19). God told Moses no one could see His face and live, and He sheltered Moses in the hollow of a rock, as He shelters Elijah in a cave (see Exodus 33:18-23).



The disciples, likewise, are too terrified to look on the face of God. Today’s Gospel is a revelation of Jesus’ divine identity. Only God treads across the crest of the sea (see Job 9:8) and rules the raging waters (see Psalm 89:9-10). And the words of assurance that Jesus speaks - “It is I” - are those God used to identify himself to Moses (see Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 43:10).



Even Peter is too overcome by fear to imitate his Lord. His fears, Jesus tells him, are a sign of his lack of faith. And so it often is with us. Our fears make us doubt, make it hard to see His glory dwelling in our midst.



Yet, we should know, as we sing in today’s Psalm, that His salvation is near to those who hope in Him. By faith we should know, as Paul asserts in today’s Epistle, that we are heirs to the promises made to His children, Israel. 



We must trust that He whispers to us in the trials of our lives - that He who has called us to walk along the way of His steps, will save us whenever we begin to sink.


37 posted on 08/10/2014 1:13:08 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
Matthew
  English: Douay-Rheims Latin: Vulgata Clementina Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
  Matthew 14
22 And forthwith Jesus obliged his disciples to go up into the boat, and to go before him over the water, till he dismissed the people. Et statim compulit Jesus discipulos ascendere in naviculam, et præcedere eum trans fretum, donec dimitteret turbas. και ευθεως ηναγκασεν ο ιησους τους μαθητας εμβηναι εις το πλοιον και προαγειν αυτον εις το περαν εως ου απολυση τους οχλους
23 And having dismissed the multitude, he went into a mountain alone to pray. And when it was evening, he was there alone. Et dimissa turba, ascendit in montem solus orare. Vespere autem facto solus erat ibi : και απολυσας τους οχλους ανεβη εις το ορος κατ ιδιαν προσευξασθαι οψιας δε γενομενης μονος ην εκει
24 But the boat in the midst of the sea was tossed with the waves: for the wind was contrary. navicula autem in medio mari jactabatur fluctibus : erat enim contrarius ventus. το δε πλοιον ηδη μεσον της θαλασσης ην βασανιζομενον υπο των κυματων ην γαρ εναντιος ο ανεμος
25 And in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them walking upon the sea. Quarta enim vigilia noctis, venit ad eos ambulans super mare. τεταρτη δε φυλακη της νυκτος απηλθεν προς αυτους ο ιησους περιπατων επι της θαλασσης
26 And they seeing him walk upon the sea, were troubled, saying: It is an apparition. And they cried out for fear. Et videntes eum super mare ambulantem, turbati sunt, dicentes : Quia phantasma est. Et præ timore clamaverunt. και ιδοντες αυτον οι μαθηται επι την θαλασσαν περιπατουντα εταραχθησαν λεγοντες οτι φαντασμα εστιν και απο του φοβου εκραξαν
27 And immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying: Be of good heart: it is I, fear ye not. Statimque Jesus locutus est eis, dicens : Habete fiduciam : ego sum, nolite timere. ευθεως δε ελαλησεν αυτοις ο ιησους λεγων θαρσειτε εγω ειμι μη φοβεισθε
28 And Peter making answer, said: Lord, if it be thou, bid me come to thee upon the waters. Respondens autem Petrus, dixit : Domine, si tu es, jube me ad te venire super aquas. αποκριθεις δε αυτω ο πετρος ειπεν κυριε ει συ ει κελευσον με προς σε ελθειν επι τα υδατα
29 And he said: Come. And Peter going down out of the boat, walked upon the water to come to Jesus. At ipse ait : Veni. Et descendens Petrus de navicula, ambulabat super aquam ut veniret ad Jesum. ο δε ειπεν ελθε και καταβας απο του πλοιου ο πετρος περιεπατησεν επι τα υδατα ελθειν προς τον ιησουν
30 But seeing the wind strong, he was afraid: and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying: Lord, save me. Videns vero ventum validum, timuit : et cum cœpisset mergi, clamavit dicens : Domine, salvum me fac. βλεπων δε τον ανεμον ισχυρον εφοβηθη και αρξαμενος καταποντιζεσθαι εκραξεν λεγων κυριε σωσον με
31 And immediately Jesus stretching forth his hand took hold of him, and said to him: O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt? Et continuo Jesus extendens manum, apprehendit eum : et ait illi : Modicæ fidei, quare dubitasti ? ευθεως δε ο ιησους εκτεινας την χειρα επελαβετο αυτου και λεγει αυτω ολιγοπιστε εις τι εδιστασας
32 And when they were come up into the boat, the wind ceased. Et cum ascendissent in naviculam, cessavit ventus. και εμβαντων αυτων εις το πλοιον εκοπασεν ο ανεμος
33 And they that were in the boat came and adored him, saying: Indeed thou art the Son of God. Qui autem in navicula erant, venerunt, et adoraverunt eum, dicentes : Vere Filius Dei es. οι δε εν τω πλοιω ελθοντες προσεκυνησαν αυτω λεγοντες αληθως θεου υιος ει

38 posted on 08/10/2014 1:13:40 PM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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To: annalex
22. And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
26. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27. But straightway Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be you, bid me come to you on the water.
29. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
32. And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth you are the Son of God.

CHRYS; Desiring to occasion a diligent examination of the things that had been done, He commanded those who had beheld the foregoing sign to be separated from Him; for even if He had continued present it would have been said that He had wrought the miracle fantastically, and not in verity; but it would never be urged against Him that He had done it in His absence; and therefore it is said, And straightway Jesus compelled his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

JEROME; These words show that they left the Lord unwillingly, not desiring through their love for their teacher to be separated from Him even for a moment.

CHRYS; It should be observed, that when the Lord works a great miracle, He sends the multitudes away, teaching us thereby never to pursue the praise of the multitude, nor to attract them to us. Further, He teaches us that we should not be ever mixed with crowds, nor yet always shunning them; but that both may be done with profit; whence it follows, And when he had sent the multitude away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray; showing us that solitude is good, when we have need to pray to God. For this also He goes into the desert, and there spends the night in prayer, to teach us that for prayer we should seek stillness both in time and place.

JEROME; That He withdraws to pray alone, you should refer not to Him who fed five thousand on five loaves, but to Him who on hearing of the death of John withdrew into the desert; not that we would separate the Lord's person into two parts, but that His actions are divided between the God and the mall.

AUG; This may, seem contrary to that Matthew says, that having sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain that He might pray alone; and John again says, that it was on a mountain that He fed this same multitude. But since John himself says further, that after that miracle He retired to a mountain that He might not be held by the multitude, who sought to make Him a king, it is clear that He had come down from the mountain when He fed them. Nor do Matthew's words, He went up into a mountain alone to pray, disagree with this, though John says, When he knew that they would come to make him a king, he withdrew into a mountain himself alone.

For the cause of His praying is not contrary to the cause of His retiring, for herein the Lord teaches us that we have great cause for prayer when we have cause for flight. Nor, again, is it contrary to this that Matthew says first, that He bade His disciples go into the boat, and then that He sent the multitudes away, and went into a mountain alone to pray; while John relates that He first withdrew to the mountain, and then, when it was late, his disciples went down to the sea, and when they had entered into a boat, &c. for who does not see that John is relating as afterwards done by His disciples what Jesus had commanded before He retired into the mountain?

JEROME; Rightly had the Apostles departed from the Lord as unwilling, and slow to leave Him lest they should suffer shipwreck while He was not with them. For it follows, when it was evening he was there alone; that is, in the mountain; but the boat was in the middle of the sea tossed with the waves; for the wind was contrary.

CHRYS; Again, the disciples suffer shipwreck, as they had done before; but then they had Him in the boat, but now they are alone. Thus gradually He leads them to higher things, and instructs them to endure all manfully.

JEROME; While the Lord tarries in the top of the mountain, straightway a wind arises contrary to them, and stirs up the sea, and the disciples are in imminent peril of shipwreck, which continues till Jesus comes.

CHRYS; But He suffers them to be tossed the whole night, exciting their hearts by fear, and inspiring them with greater desire and more lasting recollection of Him; for this reason He did not stand by them immediately, but as it follows, in the fourth watch of the night he came to them walking upon the sea.

JEROME; The military guards and watches are divided into portions of three hours each. When then he says that the Lord came to them in the fourth watch, this shows that they had been in danger the whole night.

CHRYS; Teaching them not to seek a speedy riddance of coming evil, but to bear manfully such things as befall them. But when they thought that they were delivered, then was their fear increased, whence it follows, And seeing him walking upon the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a vision, and through fear they cried out. For this the Lord ever does; when He is to rescue from any evil, He brings in things terrible and difficult. For since it is impossible that our temptation should continue a long time, when the warfare of the righteous is to be finished, then He increases their conflicts, desiring to make greater gain of them; which He did also in Abraham, making his hot conflict his trial of the loss of his son.

JEROME; A confused noise and uncertain sound is the mark of great fear. But if, according to Marcion and Manichaeus, our Lord was not born of a virgin, but was seen in a phantasm, how is it that the Apostles now fear that they have seen a phantasm (or vision)?

CHRYS; Christ then did not reveal Himself to His disciples until they cried out; for the more intense their fear, the more did they rejoice in His presence; whence it follows, And immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid. This speech took away their fear, and prepared their confidence.

JEROME; Whereas He says, It is I, without saying who, either they might be able to understand Him speaking through the darkness of night; or they might know that it was He who had spoken to Moses, Say to the children of Israel, He that is has sent me to you. On every occasion Peter is found to be the one of the most ardent faith. And with the same zeal as ever, so now, while the others are silent, he believes that by the will of his Master he will be able to do that which by nature he cannot do; whence it follows, Peter answered and said to him, Lord, if it be you, bid me come to you upon the water. As much as to say, Do you command, and straightway it will become solid; and that body which is in itself heavy will become light.

AUG; This I am not able by myself, but in you I am able. Peter confessed what he was in himself, and what he should receive from Him by whose will he believed he should be enabled to do that which no human infirmity was equal to.

CHRYS; See how great his warmth, how great his faith. He said not, Pray and entreat for me; but Bid me; he believes not only that Christ can Himself walk on the sea, but that He can lead others also thereon ; also he wishes to come to Him speedily, and this, so great a thing, he asks not from ostentation, but from love. For he said not, Bid me walk upon the waters, but, Bid me come to you. And it seems that having shown in he first miracle that He has power over the sea, He now leads them to a more powerful sign; He said to him, Come. And Peter, going forth of the boat, walked on the sea, that he might go to Jesus.

JEROME; Let those who think that the Lord's body was not real, because He walked upon the yielding waters as a light ethereal substance, answer here how Peter walked, whom they by no means deny to be man.

RABAN; Lastly, Theodorus wrote that the Lord had not bodily weight in respect of His flesh, but without weight walked on the sea. But the catholic faith preaches the contrary; for Dionysius says that He walked on the wave, without the feet being immersed, having bodily weight, and the burden of matter

CHRYS; Peter overcame that which was greater, the waves, namely, of the sea, but is troubled by the lesser, the blowing wind, for it follows, But seeing the wind boisterous, he was afraid. Such is human nature, in great trials oft times holding itself aright, and in lesser falling into fault. This fear of Peter showed the difference between Master and disciple, and thereby appeased the other disciples. For if they had indignation when the two brothers prayed to sit on the right and left hand, much more had they now. For they were not yet made spiritual; afterwards when they had been made spiritual, they every where yield the first place to Peter, and appoint him to lead in harangues to the people.

JEROME; Moreover he is left to temptation for a short season, that his faith may be increased, and that he may understand that he is saved not by his ability to ask, but by the power of the Lord. For faith burned at his heart, but human frailty drew him into the deep.

AUG. Peter then presumed on the Lord, he tottered as man, but returned to the Lord, as it follows, And when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me. Does the Lord then desert him in his peril of failure whom he had hearkened to when he first called on Him? Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him.

CHRYS; He bade not the winds to cease, but stretched forth His hand and caught him, because his faith was required. For when our own means fail, then those which are of God stand. Then to show that not the strength of the tempest, but the smallness of his faith worked the danger, He said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt? which shows that not even the wind would have been able to hurt him, if his faith had been firm. But as the mother bears on her wings and brings back to the nest her chick which has left the nest before its time and has fallen, so did Christ.

And when they were come into the boat, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the boat came and worshipped him, saying, Truly you are the Son of God.

RABAN; This may be understood either of the sailors, or of the Apostles.

CHRYS; Observe how He leads all gradually to that which is above them; He had before rebuked the sea, now He shows forth His power yet more by walking upon the sea, by bidding another to do the same, and by saving him in his peril, therefore they said to Him, Truly you are the Son of God, which they had not said above.

JEROME; If then upon this single miracle of stilling the sea, a thing which often happens by accident after even great tempests, the sailors and pilots confessed them to be truly the Son of God, how does Arrius preach in the Church itself that He is a creature?

PSEUDO-AUG; Mystically; The mountain is loftiness. But what is higher than the heavens in the world? And Who it was that ascended into heaven, that our faith knows. Why did He ascend alone into heaven? Because no man has ascended into heaven, but He that came down from heaven. For even when He shall come in the end, and shall have exalted us into heaven, He will yet ascend alone, inasmuch as the head with its body is One Christ, and now the head only is ascended. He went up to pray, because He is ascended to make intercession to His Father for us.

HILARY; Or, that He is alone in the evening, signifies His sorrow at the time of His passion, when the rest were scattered from Him in fear.

JEROME; Also He ascends into the mountain alone because the multitude cannot follow Him aloft, until He has instructed it by the shore of the sea.

AUG; But while Christ prays on high, the boat is tossed with great waves in the deep; and forasmuch as the waves rise, that boat can be tossed; but because Christ prays, it cannot be sum;. Think of that boat as the Church, and the stormy sea as this world.

HILARY; That He commands His disciples to enter the ship and to go across the sea, while He sends the multitudes away, and after that He goes up into the mountain to pray; He therein bids us to be within the Church, and to be in peril until such time as returning in His splendor He shall give salvation to all the people that shall be remaining of Israel, and shall forgive their sins; and having dismissed them into His Father's Kingdom, returning thanks to His Father, He shall sit down in His glory and majesty. Meanwhile the disciples are tossed by the wind and the waves; struggling against all the storms of this world, raised by the opposition of the unclean spirit.

AUG; For when any of a wicked will and of great power, proclaims a persecution of the Church, then it is that a mighty wave rises against the boat of Christ.

RABAN; Whence it is well said here, that the ship was in the middle of the sea, and He alone on the land, because the Church is sometimes oppressed with such persecution that her Lord may seem to have forsaken her for a season.

AUG; The Lord came to visit His disciples who are tossed on the sea in the fourth watch of the night - that is, at its close; for each watch consisting of three hours, the night has thus four watches.

HILARY; The first watch was therefore of the Law, the second of the Prophets, the third His coming in the flesh, the fourth His return in glory.

AUG; Therefore in the fourth watch of the night, that is when the night is nearly ended, He shall come, in the end of the world, when the night of iniquity is past, to judge the quick and the dead. But His coming was with a wonder. The waves swelled, but they were trodden upon. Thus howsoever the powers of this world shall swell themselves, our Head shall crush their head.

HILARY; But Christ coming in the end shall find His Church wearied, and tossed by the Spirit of Anti-Christ, and by the troubles of the world. And because by their long experience of Anti-Christ they will be troubled at every novelty of trial, they shall have fear even at the approach of the Lord, suspecting deceitful appearances. But the good Lord banishes their fear, saying, It is I; and by proof of His presence takes away their dread of impending shipwreck.

AUG. Or; That the disciples here say, It is a phantasm, figures those who yielding to the Devil shall doubt of the coming of Christ. That Peter cries to the Lord for help that he should not be drowned, signifies that He shall purge His Church with certain trials even after the last persecution; as Paul also notes, saying, He shall be saved, yet so as by fire.

HILARY; Or; That Peter alone out of all the number of those that were in the vessel has courage to answer, and to pray that the Lord would bid him come to Him upon the waters, figures the forwardness of his will in the Lord's passion, when following after the Lord's steps he endeavored to attain to despise death. But his fearfulness shows his weakness in his after trial, when through fear of death, he was driven to the necessity of denial. His crying out here is the groaning of his repentance there.

RABAN; The Lord looked back upon him, and brought him to repentance; He stretched forth His hand, and forgave him, and thus the disciple found salvation, which is not of him that wills or of him that runs but of God that shows mercy.

HILARY; That when Peter was seized with fear, the Lord gave him not power of coming to Him, but held him by the hand and sustained him, this is the signification thereof; that He who alone was to suffer for all alone forgave the sins of all; and no partner is admitted into that which was bestowed upon mankind by one.

AUG; For in one Apostle, namely Peter, first and chief in the order of Apostles in whom was figured the Church, both kinds were to be signified; that is, the strong, in his walking upon the waters; the weak, in that he doubted; for to each of us our lusts are as a tempest. Do you love God? you walks on the sea; the fear of this world is under your feet. Do you love the world? It swallows you up. But when your heart is tossed with desire, then that you may overcome your lust, call upon the divine person of Christ.

REMIG; And the Lord will be with you to help you, when lulling to rest the perils of your trials, He restores the confidence of His protection, and this towards the break of day; for when human frailty beset with difficulties considers the weakness of its own powers, it looks upon itself as in darkness; when it raises its view to the protection of heaven, it straightway beholds the rise of the morning star, which gives its light through the whole of the morning watch.

RABAN; Nor should we wonder that the wind ceased when the Lord had entered into the boat; for in whatsoever heart the Lord is present by grace, there all wars cease.

HILARY; Also by this entrance of Christ into the boat, and the calm of the wind and sea thereupon, is pointed out the eternal peace of the Church, and that rest which shall be after His return in glory. And forasmuch as He shall then appear manifestly, rightly do they all cry out now in wonder, Truly you are the Son of God. For there shall then be a free and public confession of all men that the Son of God is come no longer in lowliness of body, but that He has given peace to the Church in heavenly glory.

AUG; For it is here conveyed, to us that His glory will then be made manifest, seeing that now they who walk by faith see it in a figure.

CHRYS; But we have not a hem or a garment only of Christ, but have even His body, that we may eat thereof. If then they who touched the hem of his garment derived so much virtue therefrom, much more they that shall receive Himself whole.

Catena Aurea Matthew 14
39 posted on 08/10/2014 1:14:09 PM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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To: annalex


Walking on the Waters

Spas na Krovi (Savior on the Spilled Blood) Cathedral

A. P. Ryabushkin
Mosaic
St. Petersburg, Russia

The Cathedral is built on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated by revolutionaries.

40 posted on 08/10/2014 1:17:37 PM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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