Daily Retreat 08/08/06
2006 Aug 8 Tue: Dominic, p, rf M
Jer 30: 1-2. 12-15. 18-22/ Ps 101(102): 16-18. 19-21. 29 and 22-23/ Mt 14: 22-36
From today’s readings: “You shall be My people, and I will be your God.... The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all His glory.... O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Walking on Water
After the feeding of the five thousand, there was a move among the people to make Jesus their bread king (cf. John 6:15), but not willing to stomach such misdirected enthusiasm, Jesus quickly compelled the Apostles to withdraw by boat while He Himself retreated to the mountain solitude.
Like the Transfiguration, the miracle of walking on water at first glance seems almost out of character for Jesus. For none of the Lord’s miracles were performed just for show - they always were done to provide needed help in various situations. This is easy to see, for example, in the case of the many cures, but less obvious in regards to the Transfiguration and walking on water.
The context of the Transfiguration helps us understand that that miracle, which immediately followed the Lord’s prophecy about His passion and death, was intended to bolster the Apostles’ faith, which would have naturally been shaken by the scandalous prediction of the Lord’s passion.
But, although the Apostles were indeed threatened by the tempestuous sea, Jesus did not need to walk on the water to rescue them - He could have just calmed the sea by a word of command, as He had earlier done (cf. Mark 4:35-41). But walking on water wasn’t just showing off, for with that miracle Jesus not only re-confirmed for His Apostles the power and peace of His presence, but also inspired Peter literally to step out in faith, and even when his faith faltered, Jesus proved how He would always be there with a helping hand when needed most.
Jer 30: 1-2. 12-15. 18-22/ Ps 101(102): 16-18. 19-21. 29 and 22-23/ Mt 14: 22-36
From today’s readings: “You shall be My people, and I will be your God.... The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all His glory.... O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Walking on Water
After the feeding of the five thousand, there was a move among the people to make Jesus their bread king (cf. John 6:15), but not willing to stomach such misdirected enthusiasm, Jesus quickly compelled the Apostles to withdraw by boat while He Himself retreated to the mountain solitude.
Like the Transfiguration, the miracle of walking on water at first glance seems almost out of character for Jesus. For none of the Lord’s miracles were performed just for show - they always were done to provide needed help in various situations. This is easy to see, for example, in the case of the many cures, but less obvious in regards to the Transfiguration and walking on water.
The context of the Transfiguration helps us understand that that miracle, which immediately followed the Lord’s prophecy about His passion and death, was intended to bolster the Apostles’ faith, which would have naturally been shaken by the scandalous prediction of the Lord’s passion.
But, although the Apostles were indeed threatened by the tempestuous sea, Jesus did not need to walk on the water to rescue them - He could have just calmed the sea by a word of command, as He had earlier done (cf. Mark 4:35-41). But walking on water wasn’t just showing off, for with that miracle Jesus not only re-confirmed for His Apostles the power and peace of His presence, but also inspired Peter literally to step out in faith, and even when his faith faltered, Jesus proved how He would always be there with a helping hand when needed most.
posted by FrPitstick | 8/06/2006
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