Daily Reflection for Tuesday, August 03, 2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Tuesday’s readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080321.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Numbers 12:1-13
Responsorial: Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 6cd-7, 12-13
Gospel: Matthew 14:22-36
Our reflection on Tuesday’s readings:
“People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.” Matthew 14:36
I once had the honor to join a St Monica Small Church Community. It was a blessing to my family and me to share faith and bond with other St Monica believers. We met regularly for over fifteen years, sharing births, baptisms, First Holy Communions, Confirmations, and sadly deaths. Along the way, we shared our stories and our struggles. We became a family of believers together. Through their example, I learned to serve the poor and homeless as an act of charity and faith via St Monica's turn serving with Beggars for the Poor, where we prepared and shared a hearty brunch with the homeless in Indianapolis downtown.
Sue, one of the women in our Small Church Community, shared a story of faith in action that stayed with me. Sue was a nurse, and she regularly volunteered with some other clinicians at a downtown park to provide medical care to the homeless. The city authorities started to add restrictions to the group’s activities, preventing them from using Military Park to serve their homeless clients. This bureaucracy caused Sue to be discouraged. One of the doctors came up with the idea of purchasing a medically equipped RV to provide a mobile clinic. Sue was initially doubtful, thinking that they were just a small group of volunteers serving the homeless during their free time. How would they ever afford an expensive Medical RV?
The doctor had great faith, and through his leadership and the generosity of others, they purchased the RV. The Gennesaret mobile clinic is still serving the homeless in the city. This group of medical volunteers has grown into eight medical clinics, a dental clinic, three recovery homes for the homeless in transition, and that mobile van clinic. The Gennesaret Free Clinic is a beautiful example of faith in action and serving the poor.
In today's Gospel reading, Peter initially has faith and walks toward Jesus on the water but fails when confronted by the harsh reality of the wind and the waves. In desperate faith, he calls out to Jesus and is saved. When Jesus and His disciples landed at Gennesaret, many who needed healing had faith to touch the tassel of his cloak and were healed.
Reflection for the day: Do I have faith to call out to Jesus when I need his healing presence?
Peace and blessings to all,
Deacon John McShea