Word to the Wise
Tuesday, August 3, 2021 - Tuesday in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time
[Num 12:1-13 and Matt 14:22-36 or, in Year A, Matt 15:1-2, 10-14,1032]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. [Matthew]
There is quite a contrast in the faith experiences reported in the first alternative gospel scripture for today. To begin with, there is the story of Jesus walking on water and then inviting Peter to do so. Peter's faith lets him get out of the boat and head toward Jesus until he (Peter) realizes there's a storm going on and he loses faith. Jesus has to rescue him! This dramatic experience contrasts with the folks whose faith is such that they feel only that they have to touch the tassel on Jesus' cloak to be healed. And, indeed, that IS the only thing they have to do. It should be noted, however, that it is a believing community that supports them in the effort.
Sometimes our faith may summon us to dramatic action. I felt that way when I entered religious life. "Is it really God who is calling me to do this?" In many ways I think I've been walking on water ever since, and getting plenty wet in the process. On most other occasions, I know I have only to "touch the tassel" to deal with the many challenges of pastoral life.
One can hear stories of this kind when speaking to those who enter the RCIA process to become Catholics. Other stories concern people who were baptized Catholic but never were able to grow in the faith. Occasionally a dramatic event, like the illness or death of a loved one, galvanizes them to become connected. On other occasions (especially in my campus ministry experience), it is a friend who invites the "seeker" to accompany him or her to Mass and feels the faith of the community or hears the right word from the preacher. (The wise campus minister knows that almost every liturgy may include a seeker or two!) These seekers are reaching out to the tassel. The rest and the best are yet to come. Our role as believers is to help them get there. AMEN