Reflection for August 3 Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 14:22-36

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-36

Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, 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 him, 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.”  

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.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who was praying to the Lord for a husband.  After two years of praying there was still no reply from the Lord. So she said, I give up my Lord for you are deaf to my prayer. The Lord replied to her telling her, if you did not give up. I would have sent you a handsome, humble and good man that would be your husband and best friend for the rest of your life.  

Lack of faith can oftentimes lead us to give up on our dreams; it can even lead us to doubt the abiding presence of Jesus in our lives.  

When Peter saw Jesus walking at sea, he asked the Lord to let him walk also on the sea going to Him and he did. While walking going to Jesus Peter saw the big waves and it distracted him. Thus Peter began to sink, yet as he was sinking he had the presence of mind to call on Jesus. Peter said, “Lord, save me!” And Jesus immediately saved him.  

This gospel episode is a timely reminder for all of us who are going through some rough times caused by the new covid-19 delta variant. We need not worry because with the Lord’s help we would eventually be able to get over this hump. We simply have to observe all the health protocols laid before us by the government, have a healthy lifestyle and of course we call on Jesus to take us out soon from this dreaded pandemic.   

Human as we are we oftentimes falter in our journey of faith with Jesus. But even if we falter in our faith life Jesus is still there for us to help and save us in whatever difficult predicament that we are in.  All we need to do is to ask the Lord to save us and Jesus will surely be there for us to save us.  

How is your faith in the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas