Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Reflection Tuesday August 2, 2022
Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Reflection
Tuesday August 2, 2022
Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading I: JER 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22
The following message came to Jeremiah from the LORD: For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Write all the words I have spoken to you in a book. For thus says the LORD: Incurable is your wound, grievous your bruise; There is none to plead your cause, no remedy for your running sore, no healing for you. All your lovers have forgotten you, they do not seek you. I struck you as an enemy would strike, punished you cruelly; Why cry out over your wound? your pain is without relief. Because of your great guilt, your numerous sins, I have done this to you. Thus says the LORD: See! I will restore the tents of Jacob, his dwellings I will pity; City shall be rebuilt upon hill, and palace restored as it was. From them will resound songs of praise, the laughter of happy men. I will make them not few, but many; they will not be tiny, for I will glorify them. His sons shall be as of old, his assembly before me shall stand firm; I will punish all his oppressors. His leader shall be one of his own, and his rulers shall come from his kin. When I summon him, he shall approach me; how else should one take the deadly risk of approaching me? says the LORD. You shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Responsorial Psalm: PS 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 AND 22-23
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
The nations shall revere your name, O LORD, and all the kings of the earth your glory, When the LORD has rebuilt Zion and appeared in his glory; When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute, and not despised their prayer.
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
Let this be written for the generation to come, and let his future creatures praise the LORD: “The LORD looked down from his holy height, from heaven he beheld the earth, To hear the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die.”
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
The children of your servants shall abide, and their posterity shall continue in your presence, That the name of the LORD may be declared on Zion; and his praise, in Jerusalem, When the peoples gather together and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
Alleluia: JN 1:49B
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: MT 14:22-36
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.” 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.
Catholic Daily Reflection Tuesday August 2 2022
Today we have the familiar Gospel story of the storm at sea. Jesus tells his disciples to get into the boat and precede him to the other side of the sea. He wanted to dismiss the crowds who had been listening to him preach. The disciples got into the boat and Jesus went up the mountain to pray. He simply needed some quiet and space.
While the disciples were crossing to the other shore, a fierce storm came up. The boat was being severely tossed around. The disciples began to worry. The storm was more violent than they had anticipated. In the midst of this fierce storm, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea! Naturally, the disciples thought they were seeing a ghost! After all, no human being can walk on water. They were terrified!
At that point, Jesus said: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid!” Naturally, Peter is the first one to respond. He tells Jesus: “If it truly is you, command me to come to you on the water!” Jesus simply replied: “Come!” Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk toward Jesus! However, the waves were rough and extremely high and Peter became frightened. And at that moment, he began to sink! He immediately cried out to Jesus: “Save me!” Jesus simply reached out and took Peter’s hand and caught him. It seems that Jesus was disappointed in Peter’s lack of faith. Jesus asked him: “Why did you doubt?”
The disciples all were amazed and awed at this event. When Jesus got into their boat they did him homage and said: “Truly, you are the Son of God!” Word of this amazing event spread to the surrounding country. Many people came to Jesus. They brought to him all who were sick. They begged him to allow them to simply touch the tassel on his cloak. They believed that if they barely touched Jesus’ clothing, they would be healed. And every person who touched his clothing was healed of their infirmity!
Take a moment and become quiet and still. Then ask yourself: what is the “storm” in your life that you hope Jesus will calm? Or what is the healing that you would hope for if you could reach out and touch Jesus’ clothing? Sit with your desire for several minutes.
Now allow your longing and desire to flow toward Jesus. And trust that Jesus knows of your desire for healing. Then sit quietly for several minutes and allow peace, love and healing to flow into you from Jesus. You may not feel anything or experience a miracle! You simply need to trust that Jesus is healing you. However, the healing may not manifest itself immediately.
True healing is a process and thus it typically takes time. True, there are miracles that happen instantly. However, they are rare. Can we trust that Jesus is healing us, even if we don’t experience an immediate change? In your heart, hold Jesus’ words: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid!” Jesus will not fail us! However, we have to hold onto our belief and our trust in Jesus! May we have the grace to do so!
