“It’s a ghost!” they said, and screamed with fear. Jesus spoke to them at once. “Courage!” he said. “It is I. Don’t be afraid!” – Matthew 14:26-27

       For a time after he had died, I felt my husband’s soul still “hovering” around us. My younger son, then barely two years old, would see him. One evening, my baby suddenly removed the bottle he was sucking on, waved and said, “Bye-bye, Daddy.”

       When I went through difficult times, I also felt his presence. One stormy evening, I was awakened by the sound of windows banging. There was that familiar smell I associated with his long hospital confinement.

       The next morning, the wind blew away the roof of our brand-new house. I guess he wanted to tell me not to be afraid because everything would be alright. And it was. My brothers-in- law came with an army of workers to fix our roof.

       After I became a renewed Catholic, we no longer experienced these manifestations. They were probably just the Lord’s way of gently easing us into a new life without a husband and father. Once I began a personal relationship with Jesus, I didn’t need this ghostly reminder of love anymore. My children and I were assured of the loving care of our heavenly Father, who protects us 24/7. Lella M. Santiago (mirellasantiago@yahoo.com)

Reflection: Do you have fears too big for you to handle? Hold on to Jesus and take courage. He will not let you drown.

Jesus, when troubles threaten to engulf me, remind me that all I have to do is to take Your hand and You will help me walk over them.

St. John Vianney, priest, pray for us.

Memorial of St. John Mary Vianney

Today is the feast of the patron saint of priests, John Mary Vianney. He was a very simple man who spent most of his life as a priest praying or in the confessional. He was known to spend up to 17 hours a day in the confessional. Vianney’s desire was to be an instrument of conversion of the people. Let us pray that all our priests will be likewise motivated.

1 In the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, the prophet Hananiah, son of Azzur, from Gibeon, said to me in the house of the Lord in the presence of the priests and all the people: 2 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. 3 Within two years I will restore to this place all the vessels of the temple of the Lord which Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, took away from this place to Babylon. 4 And I will bring back to this place Jeconiah, son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the exiles of Judah who went to Babylon,’ says the Lord, ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’ ” 5 The prophet Jeremiah answered the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people assembled in the house of the Lord, 6 and said: Amen! thus may the Lord do! May he fulfill the things you have prophesied by bringing the vessels of the house of the Lord and all the exiles back from Babylon to this place! 7 But now, listen to what I am about to state in your hearing and the hearing of all the people. 8 From of old, the prophets who were before you and me prophesied war, woe, and pestilence against many lands and mighty kingdoms. 9 But the prophet who prophesies peace is recognized as truly sent by the Lord only when his prophetic prediction is fulfilled. 10 Thereupon the prophet Hananiah took the yoke from the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, broke it, 11 and said in the presence of all the people: “Thus says the Lord: ‘Even so, within two years I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, from off the neck of all the nations.’ ” At that, the prophet Jeremiah went away. 12 Some time after the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 13 Go tell Hananiah this: Thus says the Lord: By breaking a wooden yoke, you forge an iron yoke! 14 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: A yoke of iron I will place on the necks of all these nations serving Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and they shall serve him; even the beasts of the field I give him. 15 To the prophet Hananiah the prophet Jeremiah said: Hear this, Hananiah! The Lord has not sent you, and you have raised false confidence in this people. 16 For this, says the Lord, I will dispatch you from the face of the earth; this very year you shall die, because you have preached rebellion against the Lord. 17 That same year, in the seventh month, Hananiah the prophet died.

R: Lord, teach me your statutes.

29 Remove from me the way of falsehood, and favor me with your law. (R) 43 Take not the word of truth from my mouth, for in your ordinances is my hope. (R) 79 Let those turn to me who fear you and acknowledge your decrees. (R) 80 Let my heart be perfect in your statutes, that I be not put to shame. (R) 95 Sinners wait to destroy me, but I pay heed to your decrees. (R) 102 From your ordinances I turn not away, for you have instructed me. (R)

Peter knows that the command of the Lord is the supreme power, even greater than the laws of nature. He has come to this realization probably because he witnessed the many miracles Jesus has performed in His ministry. He believes. However, it does not take long for doubt to arise when he experiences the wind and the waves, the storms of everyday life.

One does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

22 Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. 25 During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. 27 At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28 Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 After they got into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” 34 After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 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 36 and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.

think: Let us pray that all priests will be instruments of conversion of the people.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Maccabees 9-10

WOULD YOU HAVE STEPPED OUT OF THE BOAT?

Today’s miracle is very similar to the one we read yesterday. They are both nature miracles and, in a sense, both require some sort of action on our part for it to be most effective. The miracle now is that of Peter walking on the water.

       The miracle of Peter walking on the water would never happen unless he has some level of faith to step out of the boat and on to the water in the first place. One of the reasons why we do not see the miracles today is because we do not ask for them. The principle, “Ask and you will receive,” works in the negative as well: “Do not ask and you will not receive!” If we do not take the risk of stepping out in faith, we do not give God the opportunity to work miracles. Every time we ask God for a miracle, we will have one done for us. But I am saying that if we ask more often, and if we ask with faith, we will see more of them. The only way to test this is to try it out. I dare you to give it a go.

       One of my favorite saints is Joseph Cupertino. He seemed to be able to work miracles at will even when he had been ordered by his superiors to stop working them. He was a very simple man with little education but a great faith. Let us ask him to make known to us the secret of working miracles so that the faith will be proclaimed today with more of the signs and wonders that accompanied it in its early years.

       Let us never doubt that God wants to use us to work miracles in our own lives and those of others. As soon as we allow any doubt a place in our minds or hearts, working miracles becomes a very difficult business. Let us cultivate an atmosphere of faith in our communities so that miracles become a regular part of our lives. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Have you ever asked God for a miracle? Why not ask for one now?

Jesus, help me to see that miracles should never be for my own personal gain. Help me to see them as the manifestation of the power and presence of Your Kingdom on earth.