Daily Gospel Reflection
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August 8, 2023
Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side of the sea,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them, walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”
After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret.
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
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak,
and as many as touched it were healed.
My work colleague has battled colon cancer over the past several years. I have admired him as his trust in God has grown despite the physical and mental suffering and uncertainties accompanying his diagnosis. Even while enduring one last powerful and painful round of chemotherapy, he still mentions he only has gratitude for each day. My friend has totally surrendered to God. He truly prays, hopes, and doesn’t worry, as Padre Pio, his favorite saint, encourages us all to do.
Like Peter in Matthew’s passage, I struggle with trust in Jesus. I become wrapped up in daily chaos, forgetting he is always there. I slide into familiar self-reliant controlling patterns, putting myself first and him as an afterthought. And I lack the patience to pause and wait for Jesus’ answers, instead electing to find short-lived comfort or gratification that is always followed by emptiness or uneasiness.
With my colleague as inspiration, I am building my trust in the Lord. Whether it is a life-threatening situation like Peter and my friend’s or a more minor challenge, I need to remember that peace is found in giving my best and knowing the Lord will take care of the rest.
Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; but in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.” This surrender is medicine for the anxieties and fears that Peter and we all experience in our self-reliance. I pray our faith will grow so we can see more clearly the connection between surrendering our lives to the Lord and attaining the beauty and peace we so deeply desire.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you are merciful, compassionate, and fully understand our human weakness. You know our fears, the things that hold us back from trusting you and from becoming fully ourselves. But you won’t let us use those things as an excuse. You always challenge us to grow, and with the challenge comes the grace to meet it. Thank you for caring so much about us. Amen.