In this Sunday's Gospel we read the account of Jesus walking on the water - yet another of His miracles performed around the Sea of Gallilee - following the miracle of feeding the 5000 men. In the First scripture for Sunday's Holy Mass we heard about Elijah waiting on the Lord - waiting for Him to appear - not in the flashes and loud winds - rather in the quiet breeze. In the Gospel the Lord is found in the midst of a storm - why the difference - why not a gentle breeze instead? It points out to us - God is everywhere - in all of life's events - the quiet - the noisy - the hectic and frantic - the calm and serene. It is we - who expect - anticipate - who miss - His constant presence around us. Two years ago I was in a boat on the Sea of Galilee - calm peaceful - once on shore I was able to remove my sandals and walk into its cool refreshing waters. Unlike our Lord when I walked on the water - it was the bottom layer of the Sea - not on top as He did. It didn't make any difference - I was in and on top of the very same Sea of Galilee that Jesus walked on - preached on - ministered on. I also had the privilege of preaching at Holy Mass on the edge of the Sea of Galilee - a God moment - if I ever had one - shared with the pilgrims traveling with our group.
As we continue Sunday's Gospel we read that Peter also walked on water - for a time - then when he took his eyes off Jesus - when he doubted - when his faith started to waiver - he began to sink. That tells us that if we keep our eyes focused on Jesus - not on worldly concerns - we too will be able to do like Jesus - maybe not walk on water - rather - spread his message of love and peace - offer hope and help to others - reassure others who are drowning in their problems. Like Jesus we are called - to give a hand up - a help out. Daily - God calls us to be more and more - Christ like. Today would be a good day to start.
Deacon Dale
As we continue Sunday's Gospel we read that Peter also walked on water - for a time - then when he took his eyes off Jesus - when he doubted - when his faith started to waiver - he began to sink. That tells us that if we keep our eyes focused on Jesus - not on worldly concerns - we too will be able to do like Jesus - maybe not walk on water - rather - spread his message of love and peace - offer hope and help to others - reassure others who are drowning in their problems. Like Jesus we are called - to give a hand up - a help out. Daily - God calls us to be more and more - Christ like. Today would be a good day to start.
Deacon Dale
