By Fr. Jose “Joesum” Sumampong, Jr.
oOo
for August 9, 2020 (19th SUNDAY in OT – A):
HIS HOLINESS AND HIS SINFULNESS
Word: The “gift of bread in the desert” has a messianic significance which aroused the enthusiasm of the crowds. With their ambitious values and unrestrained impulses, the crowds wanted to drag Jesus into a politico-religious adventure. This is the reason why Jesus “dismissed the crowds” (Mt 14:22b).
Jesus knew only too well his own disciples—how attached they were to the same idea of a temporal Messianism. The disciples would easily be caught up by the mood of the popular manifestation. Hence, Jesus “made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side” (Mt. 14:22a).
This was one of the times when Jesus had to face this type of problem—alone against all! We may try to imagine Jesus discussing strenuously with the most enthusiastic and strong-headed of the people, who refuse to go away.
Worn out by these discussions, Jesus “went up on the mountain by himself to pray” (Mt 14:23).
We can easily guess what His prayer must have been that night. People had tried to mislead him away from his essential mission. Allurement of immediate success which Jesus repels courageously—through prayers!
Jesus must have been praying also for his disciples, whom he had just sent away. Jesus must have been thinking of the Church he was founding, and of its constant temptation to give prime importance to human means. The Church that would be out one day to the open sea and caught in the strong storm.
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea (Mt 14:25). The disciples were all terrified. But Peter climbed out and headed towards Jesus. Peter started out strong, but did not last long on his own. But the tempest—seen in all languages not only as a natural phenomenon but also as a symbol of the evil powers that are stronger than man—caught him up with fear. Beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me” (Mt 14:30).
Peter was called “a man of little faith”. This man would lead the Church one day!
o0o
Order: “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” (Mt 14:27) Whenever in the Bible a human person approaches God, we find this double stereotype: “the fear” which gets hold of man or woman and “the invitation not to fear” which God repeats. Megan McKenna asks, “Are we men and women of little faith, easily terrified, lacking in belief in the power and presence of our God in history, always?
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased (Mt 14:32). The fast reader among us may not attach any significance to this small remark. Yet, whoever allows the images to vibrate in oneself will discover one fact: Jesus and Peter save this boat which was going to its doom. They ended saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Mt 14:33)
o0o
Realities: A blind man and a lame one were caught in a forest fire. They were terrified. The blind man ran straight for the fire, The lame one shouted out to him, “Don’t run in that direction.”
“Well, where should I run?” asked the blind man.
The lame man told him, “I could show you the way as long as you want me to. But you would have to carry me on your shoulders. From that vantage point I could tell you where the snakes are and the thorns and fire; and we could both come safely to the city.”
The blind man thought that was a good idea. And so the two of them are co-operating to this very day. (Willi Hoffsuemmer, THE BLIND MAN AND THE LAME ONE)
o0o
Direction : O Lord, make me worthy of the place to which you have raised me in your Church, that all my endeavors may be to make truth and peace meet together. In this course give me understating to discover my enemies and wisdom to thwart them; a heart to love my friends and a demeanor that may bind them. Lord, make me love your Church and the place where your honor dwells; that as you have honored me, so I may honor you above all, and spend whatever is acceptable in the poor remainder of my life to serve you in your Church. Amen. (Prayer for Fitness in Our Vocation, William Laud <1573-1645> archbishop and spiritual writer)