Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Mt 14:22-36
August 1, 2022 | Monday

Today’s Gospel

Immediately, Jesus obliged his disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowd away. And having sent the people away, he went up the mountain by himself, to pray. At nightfall, he was there alone. Meanwhile, the boat was very far from land, dangerously rocked by the waves, for the wind was against it. At daybreak, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When they saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, thinking that it was a ghost. And they cried out in fear. But at once, Jesus said to them, “Courage! Don’t be afraid. It’s me!” Peter answered, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said to him, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water to go to Jesus. But seeing the strong wind, he was afraid, and began to sink; and he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and took hold of him, saying, “Man of little faith, why did you doubt?” As they got into the boat, the wind dropped. Then those in the boat bowed down before Jesus, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God!” They came ashore at Gennesaret. The local people recognized Jesus and spread the news throughout the region. So they brought to him all the sick people, begging him to let them touch just the hem of his cloak. All who touched it became perfectly well.

Today’s Reflection:

For the Israelites, the sea is believed to be a place where evil creatures live such as monsters and leviathans. This is why they were somehow afraid of the sea. In the gospel, the disciples who were in the boat were even more terrified when their boat started to be tossed by waves and strong winds especially when they thought that they saw a ghost who turned out to be Jesus. The boat actually symbolizes the community of disciples that would encounter struggles, trials and persecutions so that the person of Peter would represent the doubt and fear that the community of believers may experience amidst trials and difficulties. Thus, Jesus gave them empowering words by saying, “Do not be afraid” because He will be with them in their journey.

These are the same words that Jesus is telling us to encourage and strengthen us to remain steadfast in our faith in whatever tribulations, difficulties and trials that we may encounter in this life. Let us always remember that He is indeed with us in our life’s battle. /Vulnerasti, 2022