Word to the Wise
Tuesday, August 2, 2016 - Tuesday in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time
[Jer 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22 and Matt 14:22-36 or, in Year A, Matt 15:1-2, 10-14,480]TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016 TUESDAY IN THE EIGHTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME [Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22 and Matthew 14:22-36] "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." [Matthew] After witnessing the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, we now witness the incident in which Jesus walks on the stormy waters and invites Peter (and all of us) to do the same. In the earlier miracle, Jesus challenged us to bring our meager resources and use them with his help. Today, when our faith falters in him, he invites us to see what it is like to be like him and walk on water! The faith of the disciples in the boat contrasts with that of the crowds who come to Jesus for healing. All they want to do is touch the tassel on his cloak! Peter wanted a proof and then had trouble handling the consequences! At least he provides us with words to say: "Lord, save me!" In our increasingly secular culture where our faith is being tested by authorities wielding a "bill of rights" the courage that Peter needed may seem to abandon us as well. Jesus invites us to have confidence in his presence and know that this confidence will enable us to do things we never imagined before. Faith sufficient to touch the tassel is all we need! AMEN