1Reflection for Sunday, August 13; Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time; Matthew 14:22-33

Gospel: Matthew 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."

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Reflection:

Every Sunday morning seven years ago I would go to the house of an eighty-four years old former Extra-Ordinary Minister of the Holy Communion to give him the Body of Christ. Being sick and old he could hardly move and barely speak. However, I always notice that the moment I arrive he would encourage everyone in their house to be silent. 

Then on a small table the candle is immediately lighted after which I place my corporal and put my pyx, open it to expose the Body of Christ. While seated he would bow in reverence and quietly worship Jesus in silence as I say the prayers after which I give him the Body of Christ.

It’s always a moving experience for me as I quietly observe him how he worships Jesus with faith in silence. How he quietly desires to reverently receive the Body of Christ in silence and how Jesus creates peace and calmness in his life.

In our first reading the Lord God said to Elijah go outside the mountain for God will be passing by. There was a strong wind but God was not there. Then followed an earthquake but God was still not there subsequently fire came but God was not in the fire.  After these thundering false manifestations then came a tiny whispering sound of silence and it was God; He spoke to Elijah.

In our gospel, the boat where the disciples were being battered by the waves. Then amidst the disturbance came Jesus silently walking on the violent water. To assure them that in their fearful and unstable present environment. He is there to calm them and to assure them that everything would be all right for He is there to save them all.

We are oftentimes being tossed upside down by our worries and problems that generate fear and disturbance in our hearts.   We are being tossed by fear of losing our job, we are being disturbed by fear of sickness and death. We are being tossed by fear of getting old and there are countless more fears that may come our way.

But in the middle of all these fears and disturbances in our lives Jesus silently comes into our hearts. To assure and calm us that everything will be alright, to say to us that we need not fear. And to say to us to remain strong in your faith, for I am here to save you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas