Sunday 13 August 2023

The Examen

How have I lived out last week’s Gospel message? … What was tough? … What was rewarding?

The Call

Do not be afraid, for Jesus is here. Listen to his living word and respond to his call. Look to him and step out in confidence and faith. Reach out for his outstretched hand and be held in his love. (pause)

Holy God, you speak to us in a voice unexpected and come to us in ways we do not recognise. Never leaving us to our devices or defenses, you are the ever-present, all-powerful God. Call us out in faith again and again, until we learn to walk with you in steadfast love and faithfulness, and in peace. In the name of him who comes to us upon the waters, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

The Gospel

Matthew 14: 30 – 33

Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves, churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!” Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed Peter’s hand. Then Jesus said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?” They both climbed into the boat, the disciples having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”

The Introduction

Filled with faith and confidence, Peter steps out on the water to Jesus, only to get scared and start to sink. We know what that’s like. We might go to church or on a retreat and be filled with conviction and faith, but then, when called to practice our belief, we might falter, get scared, or lose confidence. We need tremendous conviction and dedication to be good Christians, but when we get scared or lose heart, Jesus is always there to help us. Having courage, faith and strength is a gift given to us from the Holy Spirit.

The Reflection

Why did the disciples think Jesus was a ghost? By this point in the Gospel, they had been with him for a while and probably spent all their time with him. What would the circumstances have to be that you would think one of your closest friends was a ghost? Jesus hadn’t been crucified yet. The reading gives us an explanation – the disciples were  terrified beyond reasonable thought (and it’s not every day that someone walks on water!). Even when Jesus reassures them that it is in fact he, they still do not believe. It is only after the danger has passed that they recognise Christ for who he truly is, the Son of God. There are many times in our lives when we are in uncertain situations and doubt God’s presence. We let our doubt and fear overcome what we know and profess as our faith: God is with us, even in the midst of the storms of life. The next time you feel like God is distant, recall this Gospel message and be reassured that Jesus is with you, holding out his hand to help you through your trials.

The Action

Find a poem, song, or Scripture passage that can help reassure you of God’s enduring presence, even in the midst of struggles. You can look online, ask friends and family for recommendations, or even look through some hymn/song books before or after Mass this week. You might also want to look through the Book of Psalms in the Bible – they were written as Israel’s songs of hope, trust, and praise of God. When you find one you like, work on memorising it and incorporating it into your regular prayer so that when you have moments of fear and doubt, you know where to turn.

Check out: “Trust In God” – Elevation Worship

The Connection

Careful What You Reach For

 
A few years ago, I met a homeless cocaine addict. His addiction developed when he was a teenager. He used cocaine to ease the pain and fear from his abusive home. But the cocaine brought him even worse suffering.

Be careful what you reach for when you are hurting or fearful.

That’s an important message from today’s Gospel. Peter finds himself sinking in a storm. He reaches out to Jesus, who brings him to safety. We have no control over what storms burst in our lives. But we do have control over who or what we reach for when the storms come. Like Peter, we’ll find ourselves sinking if we take our focus off Jesus during those tough times. And like the homeless addict I met, we might make mistakes that hurt us for years to come.

Young people are vulnerable to lots of storms – pain and hurt they just can’t avoid or control. Many live in abusive homes or with alcoholic parents. Many suffer in poverty. Many hurt from friends who betray them. Many feel unyielding pressure from parents, teachers, or coaches to excel.

If any of that is true of you, reach out to Jesus for help. Turn away from some of the things others might choose, like isolation, cutting, alcohol, drugs, sex, or violence. Strengthen your prayer life. Don’t miss Mass. Talk with someone you trust. Open up at youth group. Like Peter, you’ll find Jesus offering you strength, peace, and a way to safety.

The Question of the Week

If a word or phrase from the Gospel grabs your heart, sit quietly for a moment, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life. Reflect and possibly journal on the following question:

• What do you reach for when you face the storms in your life?
  Does it help you meet your troubles or just ignore them?

The Song

HERE I AM

© 1996, Tom Booth. Published by Spirit & Song, a division of OCP. All rights reserved. Used with permission.