19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
We’re going to reflect on Matthew’s account of the storm at sea. Jesus had just performed an incredible miracle. He fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish. But immediately after the leftover food had been collected, Jesus MADE his disciples leave the scene and go to the opposite side of the lake. He remained behind to dismiss the crowd. Why would Jesus want to separate himself from his disciples at this incredible moment?
Keep in mind that the Jewish population was suffering under Roman rule. This miracle stoked up the people’s hope that Jesus was indeed the Messiah who would lead Israel to independence. This miracle had become dangerously political. Jesus dismissed his disciples because he feared that they would become intoxicated by the people’s excitement. His kingdom wasn’t an earthly kingdom at all.
This reality would take a long time for the disciples to digest. Jesus had sent them away from the political storm, but another and more powerful storm would strike them. It was a crisis of faith. When they were hit by the storm, they were consumed by fear. Their hope of survival was fading. But then they saw him walking on the water. They couldn’t believe that he was there, on the water. No, what they saw was an evil spirit.
Brave Peter challenged the spirit. “If you’re Jesus, let me walk on the water with you. Peter did walk on the water until his faith weakened. Immediately, the sea began to swallow him. But Jesus reached out to him. A mere touch of his hand was enough to save him.
The storm at sea challenges our faith, doesn’t it? But as you put yourself into the story, don’t think about walking on the water. It can be a distraction from what the account is teaching. Just reach out your hand…….
Let Us Pray:
Lord, send us your Spirit that we may always recognize your presence speaking to us in a tiny whisper, and in the hand of someone reaching out to us with love, and in the Eucharist where you feed and sustain us.
