19th Sunday of the Year (A)

(Edited) Sunday reflections: (From) Years 2014 (A), 2015 (B), and 2016 (C)

August 10, 2014
Liturgical readings
1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13
Psalm 85
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:22-33

"Jesus at once stretched out His hand and caught Peter."

The name Jesus comes from the Aramaic "Yeshu" and the Hebrew "Jehoshua", which means "Yahweh is salvation" - or simply, "God saves". This Sunday's gospel shows the salvific nature of the name Jesus and His saving action in an actual incident. As Christ's disciples were out in sea in a boat, strong head winds suddenly tossed the boat with dangerous waves. In this scenario, Jesus walks to them across the water. At first the disciples were frightened - thinking that Jesus was a ghost. But the Lord spoke and reassured them. Then Peter wanted to go to Jesus by walking across the water. The Lord called out to him, and Peter began to walk on the water. But when Peter noticed the strength of the winds and the waves, he began to sink. Peter cried out from his distress and the Lord at once stretched out His hand to save him.

This passage in the gospel is memorialized in many images and reflections. One such reflection can be read from Bishop Fulton Sheen in his book "Life of Christ". Bishop Sheen writes about the many miracles of Jesus. He classifies the miracle of Jesus walking on the water as a miracle in the order of nature (miracles such as quelling of the storm at sea and making the winds His servants). But the greatest miracle Jesus performed is not in the order of nature, or in the moral order (the expulsion of evil spirits). The greatest miracles of Jesus are in the physical order (raising people from the dead and His Resurrection). This Sunday's gospel describes a miracle in the order of nature. Despite its lesser importance, it still invites all the faithful to hold on to the salvific power of Christ.

One can see the greatness of God in Christ - even with just this miracle of walking on the water and the saving of Peter. How great is the saving power of Christ! Like Peter, all the faithful want to go to Christ and walk in faith towards Him - especially in times of difficulties. But this faith to walk towards Christ will be a test. It is a test (so many times over) amidst troubles and difficulties - both small and big. As long as each one does not rely only on his own strength, but in humility, ask for God's help, God will surely save us. Jesus did not hesitate to prevent Peter from sinking, when Peter cried out to Him. God-in-Jesus saved Peter. In the same way, as each one can be distracted by any turbulence, thus weakening one's focus on God, only refocusing on Christ in prayer, faith and good works will prevent sinking into a moral or physical death. Focusing on God and His saving actions will reassure the faithful that in truth, Jesus is "God saves" in action.

Scripture quote:
"Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear God." (Psalm 85)