Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

[Fidelis]

From the 1859 Haydock Commentary:

Christ walks upon the sea
*
22 And forthwith Jesus obliged his disciples to get up into the boat, and to go before him over the water, while he sent the multitude away.

Ver. 22. And forthwith Jesus, &c. In this we have the genuine picture of a Christian life. After eating of the miraculous bread, we must like the disciples, prepare ourselves for labour. As bread was given Elias, to enable him to walk 40 days to the mountain of God, Horeb, so the blessed Eucharist, the true heavenly bread, is given us that we may be able to support the hardships to which we are exposed. (Paulus de Palacio.) — We here also see the ardent love of the disciples for their Lord, since they were unwilling to be separated from him even for a moment. Theophylactus also adds that they were unwilling for him to go, ignorant how he could return to them.

*23 And having dismissed the multitude, he went into a mountain alone to pray. And when the evening was come he was there alone.

Ver. 23. Alone to pray. By our Saviour’s conduct on this occasion, we are taught to leave occasionally the society of men, and to retire into solitude, as a more proper place to commune with heaven in earnest and fervent prayer. The company of mortals is often a great distraction to the fervent Christian. (Denis the Carthusian)

*24 But the boat in the midst of the sea was tossed with the waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them walking upon the sea.*

Ver. 25. And in the fourth watch of the night. The Jews, under the Romans, divided the night, or the time from sunset to sunrise, into four watches, each of them lasting for three hours. And the hours were longer or shorter, according as the nights were at different seasons of the year. At the equinox, the first watch was from six in the evening till nine; the second, from nine till twelve; the third, from twelve till three in the morning; and the fourth, from three till six, or till sunrise. (Witham) — They had been tossed by the tempest almost the whole night. (St. Jerome)

*26 And they seeing him walking on the sea, were troubled, saying: It is an apparition. And they cried out for fear.

27 And immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying: Be of good heart: It is I, be not afraid.*

Concluded on the next post…

 

[Fidelis]

28 And Peter making answer, said: Lord, if it be thou, bid me come to thee upon the waters.

Ver. 28. And Peter … said. Everywhere Peter appears full of faith and love. He now with his usual ardour believes he can do at the command of his Master, what by nature he is unable to perform. He desires to be with his Lord, and cannot bear delay; and, in reward of his eagerness, Christ works a miracle in his favour. (Jansenius) — Lord, if it be thou. Peter, by saying if, did not doubt in faith, as Calvin pretends; nor was he guilty of any arrogance, as others conjecture; for our Lord granted his request. Peter knew that his request would be pleasing to Christ, who had shewn himself so very considerate for his apostles. Peter had also worked miracles himself in the name of Christ, and observing that he wished to pass by, Peter hastened to be with him, to embrace him, and serve him. (Tirinus)
*
29 And he said: Come. And Peter, going down out of the boat, walked upon the water to come to Jesus.*
**
Ver. 29.** Let those who argue that the body of our Saviour was not a real but an *aerial *body, or phantom, because he walked upon the waters, explain to us how St. Peter, whom they will not deny to be a true man, walked on the waters. (St. Jerome)

30 But seeing the wind strong he was afraid: and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying: Lord, save me.

**Ver. 30. **He was afraid. As long as Peter had his eye and faith fixed on Christ, the liquid element yielded not to his steps; but the moment he turns his thoughts on himself, his own weakness, and the violence of the winds and waves, he begins to lose confidence, and on that account to sink. Again his faith saves him; he calls upon the Lord, who stretcheth forth his arm, and takes hold of him. (Jansenius) — By his confidence in God, we learn what we can do by the divine assistance; and by his fear, what we are of ourselves: also, that no one receives from God the strength he stands in need of, but he who feels that of himself he can do nothing. (St. Augustine, serm. 76.)

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?

**Ver. 31. *And immediately Jesus. Five miracles are here wrought: 1. Christ walks upon the water; 2. enables Peter to do the same; 3. when Peter begins to sink, preserves him; 4. suddenly stills the tempest; 5. the ship is immediately in port, which may be mystically explained thus: a Christian is with Jesus Christ, to tread under foot the whole world, with the whirlpools of earthly distractions, whilst God calms all tempestuous passions, temptations, and persecutions, and leads him with faithful and continued support to the harbour of eternal rest and life. (Tirinus)
*
32 And when they were come up into the boat, the wind ceased.

Ver. 32. And when they were come up into the boat. St. Mark (vi. 51.) tells us, Christ went up with St. Peter into the boat. Nor is this denied by St. John (vi. 21.) when he says, *They were willing therefore to take him into the boat: and presently the boat was at the land. *They not only would, but did also take him into the boat, which was presently at the shore. (Witham)

33 Then they that were in the boat came and worshipped him saying: Thou art truly the Son of God.

**Ver. 33. **It may be doubted, whether the mystery of the blessed Trinity had been at this time explicitly revealed to the Jews. Most probably not. By “thou art the Son of God,” they only mean to bear testimony of his sanctity, and shewed themselves willing to acknowledge him for their Messias, as formerly prophets and holy men were styled, sons of God. Or we may suppose that the Almighty enlightened their understanding by an interior ray of his light, to know a truth which was obscure to others, and therefore they come and adore him. (Jansenius)

 

[Fidelis]

The Gospel Reading is cited in the following paragraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

**2602 **Jesus often draws apart to pray in solitude, on a mountain, preferably at night. He includes all men in his prayer, for he has taken on humanity in his incarnation, and he offers them to the Father when he offers himself. Jesus, the Word who has become flesh, shares by his human prayer in all that “his brethren” experience; he sympathizes with their weaknesses in order to free them. It was for this that the Father sent him. His words and works are the visible manifestation of his prayer in secret.

**448 **Very often in the Gospels people address Jesus as “Lord”. This title testifies to the respect and trust of those who approach him for help and healing. At the prompting of the Holy Spirit, “Lord” expresses the recognition of the divine mystery of Jesus. In the encounter with the risen Jesus, this title becomes adoration: “My Lord and my God!” It thus takes on a connotation of love and affection that remains proper to the Christian tradition: “It is the Lord!”

**156 **What moves us to believe is not the fact that revealed truths appear as true and intelligible in the light of our natural reason: we believe “because of the authority of God himself who reveals them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived”. So “that the submission of our faith might nevertheless be in accordance with reason, God willed that external proofs of his Revelation should be joined to the internal helps of the Holy Spirit.” Thus the miracles of Christ and the saints, prophecies, the Church’s growth and holiness, and her fruitfulness and stability “are the most certain signs of divine Revelation, adapted to the intelligence of all”; they are “motives of credibility” (motiva credibilitatis), which show that the assent of faith is “by no means a blind impulse of the mind”.

547 Jesus accompanies his words with many “mighty works and wonders and signs”, which manifest that the kingdom is present in him and attest that he was the promised Messiah.

**548 **The signs worked by Jesus attest that the Father has sent him. They invite belief in him. To those who turn to him in faith, he grants what they ask. So miracles strengthen faith in the One who does his Father’s works; they bear witness that he is the Son of God. But his miracles can also be occasions for “offence”; they are not intended to satisfy people’s curiosity or desire for magic Despite his evident miracles some people reject Jesus; he is even accused of acting by the power of demons.

 

[Fidelis]

Here is a meditation on the Gospel Reading for practical application from Catholic Matters:

**EXPLANATION: **In this reading from St. Matthew’s gospel we have two miracles worked by our Lord; he walks on the water and calms a storm. The faith and trust of Peter in Christ is greater than that of the other Apostles, but it is as yet not complete and unquestioning.

Christ had spent the day somewhere on the eastern shore of Lake Genesareth. As evening came he told the disciples to return home by boat to the western shore. He himself spent most of the night alone in prayer. The disciples ran into a heavy head-wind and were hardly making any headway—they still hadn’t reached the western shore at 3 a.m. Suddenly Jesus came near them, walking on the water. The disciples were terrified; they thought he was a ghost. Jesus told them not to be afraid, that it was he, their Master, who was there. Peter was ready to believe him, but put him to the test. If he really was the Master he could give them the power to walk on the water. Christ gave him the power and while his faith in Christ lasted he walked on the water. But his faith weakened when he saw a large wave approaching, and he then began to sink. He called out to his master: “Lord save me.” Christ caught him and lifted him up, remarking that it was the wavering of his faith that caused him to sink. They both got into the boat and immediately the wind ceased. The others in the boat declared then that truly he was the “Son of God.” This was not a proclamation of their faith in his divinity—this conviction did not come to them until after the resurrection—but an affirmation that he was the Messiah.

APPLICATION: 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 fellowman. 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.

 

[Fidelis]

Here are some questions on this Sunday’s Scripture Readings for personal study and reflection:

* In the 1st Reading, what is the significance of how God appeared to Elijah? In the wind? In an earthquake? In the fire? In the still, small voice? Why in that order? Why is it important to know God as the still, small voice?

* In the 2nd Reading, St. Paul uses two witnesses to the fact that he is telling the truth. What are they? (see CCC 1783—1785) Why is it necessary for Christians today to use both of these two internal witnesses when testifying to something?

* In the Gospel Reading, why do you think Jesus wanted to pray alone? What was one of Jesus’ concerns about his popularity with the people (see John 6:15)? How does public opinion and Jesus’ response to it resemble that of the temptations in Matthew 4:3-10?

* What do Peter’s actions reveal about his personality? Why do you think Peter asks Jesus to call to him? When did Peter begin to sink? Why then and not earlier?

* What do the disciples conclude about Jesus as a result of this experience?

* Would you be more likely to stay in the boat or step out of it? Why?

* What do you see in your own life that parallels Peter’s attempt to walk on water?

 

[Fidelis]

From the Daily Scripture Reading & Meditation website:
"Take heart, it is I; have no fear"

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

**Meditation: **Does the Lord seem distant when trials or adversity come your way? It was at Jesus’ initiative that the disciples sailed across the lake, only to find themselves in a life-threatening storm (see Mark 6:53-56). Although they were experienced fishermen, they feared for their lives. While Jesus was not with them in the boat, he, nonetheless watched for them in prayer. When he perceived their trouble he came to them on the sea and startled them with his sudden appearance. Do you look for the Lord’s presence when you encounter difficulty or challenges?

This dramatic incident on the sea of Galilee revealed Peter’s character more fully than others. Here we see Peter’s impulsivity – his tendency to act without thinking of what he was doing. He often failed and came to grief as a result of his impulsiveness. In contrast, Jesus always bade his disciples to see how difficult it was to follow him before they set out on the way he taught them. A great deal of failure in the Christian life is due to acting on impulse and emotional fervor without counting the cost. Peter, fortunately in the moment of his failure clutched at Jesus and held him firmly. Every time Peter fell, he rose again. His failures only made him love the Lord more deeply and trust him more intently. The Lord keeps watch over us at all times, and especially in our moments of temptation and difficulty. Do you rely on the Lord for his strength and help? Jesus assures us that we have no need of fear if we trust in Him and in his great love for us. When calamities or trials threaten to overwhelm you, how do you respond? With faith and hope in God’s love, care and presence with you?

*“Lord Jesus, help me to trust you always and to never doubt your presence and your power to help me. In my moments of doubt and weakness, may I cling to you as Peter did. Strengthen my faith that I may walk straight in the path you set before me, neither veering to the left nor to the right”. *

 

[Fidelis]

From Dr. Scott Hahn at the St. Paul Center for Biblical Studies:

Sinking Fear

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.

 

[Fidelis]

From Presentation Ministries One Bread, One Body:

THE "WANT-TO"

“My conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit that there is great grief and constant pain in my heart.” —Romans 9:1-2

Paul was in pain. There was “great grief and constant pain” in his heart. This “heart-attack” came not because Paul didn’t get his way or someone had offended him. (Such are the things many of us cry over.) His pain came because his kinsmen the Israelites did not know Jesus personally.

Paul was so concerned about the Jews’ salvation he “could even wish to be separated from Christ” for their sake (Rm 9:3). Paul said he’d go to hell if it would help the Jews go to heaven. The salvation of the Jewish people and all people was Paul’s overriding concern in life. He did all that he did for the sake of spreading the gospel (1 Cor 9:23). He made himself “all things to all men in order to save at least some of them” (1 Cor 9:22). He made himself “the slave of all so as to win over as many as possible” (1 Cor 9:19).

How badly do we want all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth? (see 1 Tm 2:4) What causes our pain? What would we be willing to do to lead a person to Jesus? We will be powerful evangelizers when we want to be.

Prayer: Father, like Jesus, may I love people so much that I will be willing to die for the eternal salvation of one person.
**
Promise:** “So Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water, moving toward Jesus.” —Mt 14:29

**Praise: **Praise You, risen Jesus! You want all to be saved and to come to know the truth (1 Tm 2:4). Thank You for revealing to us the heart of a loving Savior.

 

[cindyjdiehl]

Thanks for posting this information. I have been looking for this information all morning.

 

[Crumpy]

In the last St. Martha’s group meeting for the 19th Sunday, the meeting was being constantly hijacked by this guy who wanted to tell his own stories. It’s a little hard to control the crowd at times.

 

[Fidelis]

ANNOUNCEMENT:

As much as this pains me to do, I am no longer able to maintain this weekly Sunday Scripture thread in these forums. I’ve spread myself thin on the number and scope of my various apostolates and have to let some go, including this one.

If someone else would like to pick up this thread and maintain it, they are more than welcome. You could start, perhaps, by using the resources found at the same links I use every week, and then build from there.

Otherwise, I’d recommend a similar weekly thread on the Sunday Readings found in the ‘Catholic Caucus’ of the Free Republic website, found here.

Thanks to everyone who’s participated in this thread and for the many helpful comments and kind words of gratitude. I will still be maintaining my *Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics *website, blog and Facebook page, so please visit there. God bless you, and may you ever grow in your love of God’s Word. :bible1:

 

[kelvinf]

ANNOUNCEMENT:

As much as this pains me to do, I am no longer able to maintain this weekly Sunday Scripture thread in these forums. I’ve spread myself thin on the number and scope of my various apostolates and have to let some go, including this one.

If someone else would like to pick up this thread and maintain it, they are more than welcome. You could start, perhaps, by using the resources found at the same links I use every week, and then build from there.

Otherwise, I’d recommend a similar weekly thread on the Sunday Readings found in the ‘Catholic Caucus’ of the Free Republic website, found here.

Thanks to everyone who’s participated in this thread and for the many helpful comments and kind words of gratitude. I will still be maintaining my *Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics *website, blog and Facebook page, so please visit there. God bless you, and may you ever grow in your love of God’s Word. :bible1:

Thanks a lot!:thankyou: I have learned a lot from this thread. Thanks especially for the links: Navarre Bible Text and Commentaries on Google, Catholic Matters, Daily Scripture Readings and Mediation…

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

 

[Fidelis]

Thank you kelvinf. May our good God bless you always.