Daily Reflection for Monday, August 03, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Monday’s readings at this link:
www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080320.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Jeremiah 28:1-17
Responsorial: Psalm 119:29, 43, 79, 80, 95, 102
Gospel: Matthew 14:22-36
Our reflection on Monday’s readings:
“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!’” Matthew 14:29-30
As a child, I loved the story of Peter stepping out of the disciples’ boat to reach Jesus. I imagined sitting in that rocky boat as the wind blew with increasing fury, looking into the scary abyss at an approaching ghost. I would be so relieved when my friends and I realized it was not a ghost but Jesus calling out to us. Unlike Peter, 8-year-old me would run right across the water into His loving arms.
I didn’t comprehend that Peter’s lack of faith in Christ is what sunk him. I thought it was a Wyle E. Coyote thing—that Peter’s sudden awareness of the impossibility of the situation caused him to slip into the water.
But Peter didn’t suffer from the “gravitational cognizance” that defeats the coyote every time. He left the boat with intention and purpose, knowing he couldn’t walk on water. A gust of wind made him doubt and lose faith. The coyote races stubbornly and with full steam toward an unholy goal (killing the Road Runner) and once his momentum is lost, he falls into the rocky canyon. He didn’t rush ahead because Jesus was calling to him, but for his own selfish gain.
I’ve experienced both biblical and Looney Tunes doubt. I’ve raced around in a flurry, never stopping to think about the futility of my constant busyness. When I suddenly realize I’ve been rushing and spinning without looking toward Christ, I fall into bouts of depression and severe exhaustion.
Right now, I am in the dark, stormy unknown that stirred Peter’s doubts. School begins soon. My oldest daughter is heading to college, the other three will start elementary, middle, and high school, and I am starting grad school. This would have been a crazy time before the pandemic, but the level of difficulty has increased considerably. There are extraordinary risks and downsides to every decision we make. Like Peter, I must climb out of the boat and walk across this impossible sea. If I lose faith and begin to sink, Christ will be there with an outstretched hand to help me through the storm.
Are you racing and rushing in an unfocused, unhealthy, “Looney Tunes” way? If so, take some time to pause and reset. Rest in the knowledge that even though you may be in stormy waters, Christ is there to catch you and alleviate your doubts.
May God’s Peace Be With You,
Trina Wurst