THE WORD
Jer 30,1-2.12-15.18-22 / Mt 14,22-36
Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went upon the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles off shore, 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.
IN OTHER WORDS
In life, focus is very important. If we want to become successful in whatever we do, focus is necessary. This is also true in our spiritual life: we need to focus on God if we want to grow and to become victorious.
Today’s Gospel teaches us the importance of focus. When the Disciples got into the boat, Jesus was not with them. In the middle of the lake, Jesus appeared, walking on the water! At first, they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. Jesus affirmed them and said: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Seeing it was Jesus, Peter said: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
Jesus approved Peter’s request and said: “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
Wow! It could have been a perfect miracle recorded in the annals of human history: Man successfully walked on water without sinking! But, there was a twist: Due to human weakness, Peter became out-of-focus; he saw how strong the wind was and he became frightened!
Thank God, the story did not end there. Immediately, Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter and said: “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Jesus gave a reminder to all: Focus on God.
If ever we’ll be “out-of-focus,” be humble enough to ask God for help and “re-focus” on Him. The Gospel episode ended with two other miracles. When Peter and the disciples re-focused their attention on Jesus: the wind died down. At Gennesaret, people brought to Jesus all those who were sick and all were healed.
Yes, miracles do multiply when we focus and re-focus our attention on God-Jesus!
- Fr. Glenn Paul Gomez, SVD | DWC, San Jose, Occ. Mindoro
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
