19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) - 13 August
13th August 2023
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) - 13 August
“We do not have to talk very much in order to pray well. We know that God is there, in His holy tabernacle; let us open our hearts to Him; let us rejoice in His Presence - this is the best prayer.” - St John Marie Vianney
A reflection on today's Gospel by the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J Sheen:
"In order to teach His Apostles that they, too, were not to ‘cash in’ on cheap popularity, [Christ] constrained them to take a ship and go to the other side of the lake, a distance of five or six miles. But He did not go with them.
"Between the hours of three and six in the morning, as they were shivering, wet and weary in the boat, a storm arose. This was the second storm which found them on the lake after having been called to be Apostles; the first was on the occasion of an earlier visit of Our Lord. Both storms came at night and both were violent. It must have been a particularly strong tempest to have affected these men whose lives had been spent on that particular sea. Perhaps it was not only the storm at sea that troubled them, but also the fact that their Master had refused to be a King. It is very likely that they also doubted the power of the One Who had multiplied the bread, and then sent them across the lake the night of a storm. If He could multiply bread, why could He not prevent storms?
"For Our Lord to leave them and then quickly return in the midst of the sea, was to them just as impossible as if He should be dead and then rise again. But suddenly, while they were toiling at the oars, they saw Him coming to them across the waters. They were afraid and troubled. He spoke to them: ‘It is I! Do not be afraid.’
"The solitary crew were not as solitary as they thought. The same rhythm of joy and sorrow that ran through His life was present here; for it was in the midst of darkness, storm, and danger that Christ came, planting His feet on the white crests of the raging sea.
"It was on this occasion that Peter, when he first saw Our Lord and before He came into the boat, asked if he might walk upon the waters and come to Him. The Lord bade Peter come; but after a few moments Peter began to sink. Why? Because he took account of the winds; because he concentrated on natural difficulties; because he trusted not in the power of the Master and failed to keep his eyes on Him. He finally cried out to the Lord for help:
"‘Lord, save me,’ and Jesus at once stretched out His Hand and caught hold of him saying, ‘Why did you hesitate, man of little faith’ (Matthew 14:31).
"The deliverance was first; then the gentle rebuke; and that probably with a smile on His face and love in His voice.
"‘As they got into the boat the wind ceased’ (Matthew 14:32).
"Now that He had shown His power:
"'The ship’s crew came and said, falling at His feet, ‘Thou art indeed the Son of God’ (Matthew 14:33).
"They acknowledged that He was not only the Messiah Who was expected but also the Son of God."
(Life of Christ)
Prayer for Courage by St Therese of Lisieux
Dear God, give me courage, for perhaps I lack it more than anything else.
I need courage before men, against their threats and against their seductions.
I need courage to bear unkindness, mockery, contradiction.
I need courage to fight against the devil, against terrors and troubles, temptations, attractions, darkness and false lights, against tears, depression, and above all fear.
I need Your help, dear God.
Strengthen me with Your love and Your grace.
Console me with Your blessed Presence and grant me the courage to persevere
until I am with You forever in heaven. Amen. 🙏💖💐
Food for thought
“The Lord is good and gives strength on the day of distress” (Nahum 1:7).
Go to Christ when all is not well with you. When troubles and anxieties come, trust in Him. Stand firm and persevere. Have courage and wait patiently; comfort will come to you when you most need it. Wait for Christ; He will come to help you. Have confidence in Him and trust in His mercy, for it is when you think Him far away that He is often closest to you.