VICTORS IN CHRIST - 08/13/23 (Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

From the Gospel according to Matthew

Mt 14:22-33

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat

and precede him to the other side,

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."

Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.

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 Peter,

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."

Reflection:

But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:30 Peter was frightened when he saw the powerful winds, but when he first asked the Lord to make him walk on the water, he was full of faith, which is why the Lord allowed him to, and he too did walk on the water. But when Peter began to focus on things other than God, he sank. Sounds familiar? We, too, are like Peter in our faith. At times, we can be inconsistent in our faith. Maybe, one time we approach God in prayer with confidence, asking Him what we want of Him, but when things go the opposite direction of what we prayed for, we immediately complain to God. But we humans are short-sighted like sheep. We do not see clearly what is ahead of us. God always has His ways and wisdom far greater than the world, or every wisest human being combined.

Oftentimes, God works through the mess that we are in and makes it magnificent and lesson-filled in the end. If we pray to Him, consider our troubles taken cared of even if it is not the way we want. We only need to hold out until the end to see how truly, “…all things work out for good of those who love God” Romans 8:28. We ought to trust in God so we could walk above the problems in life in the spirit of peace. This is what we shall desire – not the absence of inevitable problems but peace in our hearts as we walk above the waters of life's troubles. It is only by faith we could do this. It is only by believing that God can work in anything, and through anything that we can become victors in Christ in our life whatever it is that we may face. May God bless us and be with us always. Amen. +

Source:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth