Once upon a time, there were three saplings who were all excited to grow into big, fruit-laden trees. One day, three gardeners came and bought one each.

     The first gardener was a negative person. As her tree grew, she constantly griped about its imperfections. Its leaves mess up her lawn and it doesn’t give enough nutrients to its fruits so they come out small. She often compared it to other trees. The hurtful words developed wood rot in the tree’s heart.

       The second gardener was appreciative but kept his praises secret. At first, the tree had lush branches and sweet, juicy fruits. Its gardener didn’t want the other trees to see how he prized this tree for fear they’d get jealous. This tree asked, “If no one hears the affirmation, was I really praised?” It became sad and stopped growing.

       The third gardener loved to show off his tree. He proudly shared its fruits with his neighbors. The tree reveled in his praise and grew greener and more fruitful.

      Like these trees, people need affirmation to become productive. Praise denied hurts, praise hidden stunts, while praise uttered gives life. Lella M. Santiago (lellams88@gmail.com)

Reflection: People, especially your children and those who work for you, need your affirmation. Have you praised someone out loud lately?

Jesus, may my mouth always spout sweetness with praises for You and for the people around me.

St. Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop, pray for us.

This is God’s covenant with Israel: He will be their God and they will be His people. The troubles of Israel abound because they refuse to be the people of God. They are self-determined and want to come under the will of God. They want complete autonomy and reject God as their one true Lord.

Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22

1 The following message came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write all the words I have spoken to you in a book. 12 For thus says the Lord: Incurable is your wound, grievous your bruise; 13 there is none to plead your cause, no remedy for your running sore, no healing for you. 14 All your lovers have forgotten you, they do not seek you. I struck you as an enemy would strike, punished you cruelly; 15 why cry out over your wound? Your pain is without relief. Because of your great guilt, your numerous sins, I have done this to you. 18 Thus says the Lord: See! I will restore the tents of Jacob, his dwellings I will pity; city shall be rebuilt upon hill, and palace restored as it was. 19 From them will resound songs of praise, the laughter of happy men. I will make them not few, but many; they will not be tiny, for I will   glorify them. 20 His sons shall be as of old, his assembly before me shall stand firm; I will punish all his oppressors. 21 His leader shall be one of his own, and his rulers shall come from his kin. When I summon him, he shall approach me; how else should one take the deadly risk of approaching me? says the Lord. 22 You shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Psalm 102:16-18, 19-21, 29, 22-23

R: The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.

15 [16] The nations shall revere your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory, 16 [17] when the Lord has rebuilt Zion and appeared in his glory; 17 [18] when he has regarded the prayer of the destitute, and not despised their prayer. (R) 18 [19] Let this be written for the generation to come, and let his future creatures praise the Lord: 19 [20] “The Lord looked down from his holy height, from heaven he beheld the earth, 20 [21] To hear the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die.” (R) 28 [29] The children of your servants shall abide, and their posterity shall continue in your presence. 21 [22] That the name of the Lord may be declared on Zion; and his praise, in Jerusalem, 22 [23] When the peoples gather together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord. (R)

Jesus walks on the sea toward His disciples. This reminds us that Jesus is always with us. He is near us and shows us where we should go. Are we ready to surrender to Him?

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.

Matthew 14: 22-36 (or Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14)

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: Jesus is always with us.

Thank You Lord for: __________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Maccabees 3-4  

FAITH IS CAUGHT, NOT TAUGHT

We become powerless when we are faced with things beyond our control. Then we become afraid. Because of fear, we forget the many truths about ourselves — that we are good and wonderful, that we are God’s beloved. Our perceptions become distorted. In the Gospel, the disciples did not recognize the Lord. They perceived Jesus as a ghost.

       Albert Nolan in his book, Jesus Before Christianity, says, “Fear in the presence of the challenges of the Gospel hides something very grave — the lack of faith. We are narrow-mindedly distracted by the problems we invent to avoid looking at the inhuman reality face to face. ‘There is no hope’ is a statement of fear. It is a statement of a heart that does not believe in the power of God, and a heart that does not have hope for what God has promised.”

       Peter said, “ If You are the Lord, allow me to walk above the water…” If you have the Lord, you do not need a boat because you can walk on water. With eyes fixed on Jesus, Peter was able to do this. Jesus is the initiator of faith. Faith is an attitude that people caught from Him. Faith cannot be taught. It could only be caught. Jesus fixed His eyes also on Peter and saw something great in him. As Jesus initiated the faith, the faith in Peter’s heart was also awakened. Peter began to walk above the water. After three steps, however, Peter sank. His connection to Jesus was gradually loosened by fear. He forgot to fix his eyes on Jesus. His attention was caught by the strong wind. His perspective changed.

       We are called to fix our eyes on Jesus. He is looking at us. His faith in us allows us to recognize our greatness. With His touch, His word, and His love, He gives us the faith and the strength to stand and live. As we look at Jesus who believes in us, we do not magnify our problems, but we magnify our God.

       God believes in us. He knows that we can walk above troubled water. Fear not. Have faith. Fr. Alex Balatbat

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What are you afraid of? How can you move from fear to faith? Can you open your heart to Jesus, the initiator of faith?

As I fix my eyes on You, Lord, help me to see the greatness of Your power. Allow me to see the way You see. Give me the faith and strength to stand and live in Your name. Amen.