When my kids were learning to use their scooters and bikes, I would call out to them, “Watch where you’re going!” They always seemed to look at their feet, tires, trees, birds, and other people. It made me nervous that they’d lose their balance and fall, or worse, hit an obstacle or a person!

When we don’t watch where we’re going, we can get into trouble.

Peter walked toward Jesus on the water, but when he got distracted, he began to sink. He wasn’t watching where he was going. His focus on Jesus was replaced by his focus on the strong wind. And all at once, he was frozen with fear.

When fear takes hold of me, I have to stop and ask myself,  “What am I focused on?” It’s normal to get distracted, but if we can quickly recover and refocus, we can keep moving ahead.

If we use fear and worry as prompts to anchor ourselves on faith and purpose, then no matter how strong the wind rages, we won’t drown. Besides, Jesus is within reach to keep us afloat. 

Kitty Dulay-Ferreria (kittydulay@yahoo.com)

reflect

When fear takes hold of you, quickly refocus on Jesus and the impossible becomes possible.

Lord, be my anchor when I feel overwhelmed by fear and worry.

St. Candida Maria of Jesus, pray for us.

First Reading | 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13

Our God is the God of the unexpected. Where we anticipate finding Him, He does not appear; where we least expect Him, He is present. God is not as predictable as we may assume. Let us remain open to all possibilities in discovering His presence in our lives and our place in His divine plan. Elijah finds God not in the raging winds and powerful storms, but in the tiny whispering sound. 

⁹ At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave, where he took shelter. ¹¹ Then the Lord said to him, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord; the Lord will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord—but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake—but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake, there was fire—but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a tiny whispering sound. ¹³ When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14

R: Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

⁹ I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord—for he proclaims peace. ¹⁰ Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) ¹¹ Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. ¹² Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) ¹³ The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. ¹⁴ Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. (R)

Second Reading | Romans 9:1-5

Paul is deeply concerned for his fellow Jews who have not accepted the Gospel. He expresses a willingness to do anything to bring them to faith, even to the point of separating himself from it. His desperation to see them embrace the Good News is evident. Yet, why does he devote most of his energy to evangelizing the Gentiles? If the Jews refuse to listen, Paul turns to those who will receive the message of salvation.

¹ Brothers and sisters: I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness ² that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. ⁴ They are Israelites; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; ⁵ theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.  

Gospel | Matthew 14:22-33 

Jesus’ command over the elements shows that He is indeed more than just a prophet. He speaks, and the winds and seas obey Him! I wonder how this impacted those who witnessed it? Peter recognizes Jesus’ divinity through the witness of these acts. Do you believe that the Scriptures are the Word of God? If you do, then reading them is as good as being there at the time the events happened. 

Gospel Acclamation

I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for his word. 

²² After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, 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 Peter, 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.”

Reflect

What do the miracles of Jesus say to you about the type of person that He is?

Read the Bible in one year! Read 2 MACCABEES 3 - 4 today.

We all have experienced trials in our lives, whether in the form of grave temptations or simply the rough and tumble of daily life and our relationships. There will always be times when we feel like things are out of control, and we are unable to cope with what is happening to us or around us. These are precisely the times when we need to cry out to others and to Jesus for assurance that all will be well in the long run if we place our trust in Him.

Yes, life is not easy. However, Jesus has promised He will be with us, and so we can trust that we will always find a way to solve our problems. However, if we constantly deny His help and continue on a path contrary to the Gospel, we can expect our troubles and suffering to stay. If significant figures in our lives continue to live contrary to Gospel norms and truth, that, too, can be a source of suffering and pain for us. The decisions we make also affect those around us. This is why Jesus’ exhortations to love one another as He has loved us, and to do unto others what we want them to do to us are important principles to uphold in our lives.

Commitment to the common good will, at times, override our individual freedom in some situations, where to insist on one’s own rights would do significant harm to others. It is important to consider these things when we make decisions. We are communal beings, and all our decisions will have an effect on the lives of family, friends, and others. 

Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

reflection question

How do you make decisions in your life?

Jesus, help me to make my choices with consideration for the effects they may have on others, and to do so with love and care for all those affected by them. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ______________________________________